Neighbors oppose rezoning for Bear Creek Fabrication expansion; Planning Board review set for Oct. 7

An application to rezone a 10.04‑acre parcel off Campbell Road in Bear Creek Township from R‑1 residential to heavy industrial drew a contested public hearing on Sept. 15 after staff and the applicant outlined plans to expand a nearby metal‑fabrication shop.

Hunter Glenn, planning staff, described the general‑use rezoning procedure and said the request is framed as a reasonable expansion of an existing business that was rezoned heavy industrial in 2018; staff noted the parcel sits in the agricultural designation on the future land‑use map but identified comp‑plan goals supporting limited industrial expansion where appropriate. Nick Robinson, an attorney for Lockley Holdings LLC, told the board the business employs about 24 people full time and said the expansion could add another 10–15 full‑time jobs within 12–24 months. He said no new public water, sewer or access roads would be needed for the proposed expansion.

But residents turned out in force and described recurring loud metal‑fabrication noise, frequent tractor‑trailer traffic on narrow rural roads, safety incidents at the driveway curve and concerns about property values and quality of life. "The noise can be heard throughout the neighborhood," said Jan Phillips, who said she and neighbors have gathered a petition. Several speakers also said tractor‑trailers have damaged roads and that intersections near residences are unsafe for large vehicles.

Nick Robinson acknowledged community concerns and said the business had not been told of the complaints in the last year; he said mitigation conversations are possible and that Planning Board review will allow more detailed consideration of impacts. The Board closed the hearing, referred the rezoning to the Planning Board (next meeting Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m.), and will consider Planning Board recommendations at a later meeting.