Del City planning commission approves final plat for proposed Ellsworth Materials recycling site

The Del City Planning Commission voted to approve the final plat for the Crutcho Creek Farms Addition, clearing the way for a proposed recycling and crushing facility on about 66.2 acres at 901 Sooner.

Staff presented the application (PC-PLAT702-26), telling commissioners the property is currently zoned I-2 and its proposed use aligns with the Del City Comprehensive Plan. "Jeffrey Burr, on behalf of Ellsworth Materials LLC, is seeking a final plat of the property encompassing 901 Sooner," staff said during the meeting.

At a public hearing, a nearby resident identified himself as Frank of 5525 Crooked Creek and urged commissioners to deny the plat or limit uses, saying that prior company requests had been for an asphalt plant or rock crushing and warning that an approved "recycle yard" might later be converted to an asphalt plant without further approvals. "If it approves for this, they could change it to something else," Frank said, adding concerns about potential health hazards and impacts on property values.

An applicant representative responded that the company plans only to crush and recycle broken concrete and asphalt into inch-and-a-half-minus aggregate for roads and driveways, not to install an asphalt plant. "We don't have any plans to put up an asphalt plant," the representative said, adding that no metal crushing is planned and that the crusher includes a magnet to separate rebar.

Commissioners asked about noise, dust controls, inspections and truck traffic. The applicant said the equipment is new and relatively quiet, that dust would be managed with water trucks, and that regulatory oversight would include state and federal programs such as DEQ in addition to local ordinances; the applicant also estimated truck activity would generally occur between about 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Staff noted the applicant submitted a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWIP).

Staff clarified the action before the commission was a platting decision to legalize lot lines and allow future building permits, not a change in allowable land uses. "This is strictly a platting case," a staff member said, adding that platting does not itself change uses allowable on the property and that platting is required before a building permit can be issued.

After closing the public hearing and a brief recess, commissioners moved to rule on the application and voted to approve the final plat for Crutcho Creek Farms Addition (PC-PLAT702-26). The transcript records the motion, second and a voice vote in favor; the transcript does not record a roll-call tally by name.

The meeting record includes questions and public concern about potential future operations, dust and truck impacts; staff and the applicant said regulatory permits and the company's commitments would govern operational details moving forward. The commission adjourned at 6:32 p.m.