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Residents tell Ruston commission: remove contaminated soil and do not grant height variances on Lot 15
Summary
Multiple speakers and written commenters urged the Planning Commission to prioritize remediation of contaminated soils on Lot 15 and opposed height increases, citing health risks, property-value impacts, and precedent concerns; residents asked for EPA engagement and full removal or firm remediation commitments before any land-use changes.
During public comment, several residents and health professionals emphasized that unresolved soil contamination must be addressed before any land-use exceptions are granted. Dr. Gregory Arnette spoke from a medical perspective about health risks, and multiple commenters cited past EPA/ASARCO contamination and argued remediation should precede redevelopment.
Tom Poole, representing the Commencement Owners Association, urged the Commission to reject height variances and to prioritize environmental safety, stating, "I urge you to deny the request for variances to the Pt. Ruston Master plan as requested by TerraCotta." Sophy Englund, who submitted written comments, wrote that "Public health must take priority over project economics," and asked the Commission to require clear documentation of soil remediation before allowing changes that could disturb contaminated materials.
Callers and written-submitters raised related concerns about property values, traffic, light pollution and precedent; several asked that the EPA be re-engaged to ensure permanent removal of contaminants rather than capping or deferred solutions. The staff report and applicant presentation made clear that the Planning Commission’s role was policy-level; commenters asked that that policy decision not proceed while remediation and ownership/financial responsibility questions remain open.
