Columbia County approves rezoning for proposed Vulcan quarry after resident input

Columbia County commissioners voted to rezone a parcel from RA to S1 to allow a proposed Vulcan quarry and overburden storage area, approving staff-recommended conditions including a requirement that site access not be routed through the Anderson Farms neighborhood.

Supporters of the expansion spoke at the meeting, telling commissioners the operation has engaged with neighbors and would keep many truck trips on-site rather than sending material off-site. Dan Lanning, who lives near the proposed site, said the project represents a long-range plan that would allow trees and overburden to be re-established and reduce roadway truck traffic. "They're a very transparent company from what we can see," Lanning said, adding that occasional blasts are infrequent and pre-announced.

Neighbors also described short-term disruptions during initial work but urged approval as a way to preserve local jobs and limit heavy truck traffic on public roads. Greg Slyer praised the company’s door-to-door outreach and said early engagement with residents and experts had reduced controversy.

Staff told the commission the rezoning is subject to the conditions enumerated in the May 7 planning commission report. One specific condition called out during the meeting requires that access to the site not use Anderson Farm neighborhood streets; staff said that condition is intended to prevent quarry traffic from cutting through the subdivision.

A commissioner moved to approve the rezoning as presented; the motion was seconded and carried. The approval allows the applicant to proceed under the conditions listed in the planning report.

The commission’s action formalizes the rezoning; future permits or operational approvals will be subject to the conditions and any required permitting processes described by staff.