Bessemer Planning Commission chairman states case for rezoning property to allow asphalt plant

BESSEMER - Bessemer Planning Commission Chairman John Turkal explained to the city council Tuesday evening why the commission made its recommendation that the council approve a petition from Patrick Steiger to amend the zoning of Steiger Timber Operations on Tamarack Avenue.

He read from a prepared statement, explaining why the commission is in favor of rezoning to allow an asphalt plant to be built there.

On May 3, the city council heard Northwoods Paving Company, of Ashland, Wis., had applied for a special-use permit to put a temporary asphalt plant on Pat Steiger's property. Bessemer resident Roy Gotham wrote to the council that Bessemer's zoning ordinance doesn't allow asphalt plants within an M-1 district, or light industrial.

He said asphalt plants are allowed in an M-2 district, or heavy industrial.

On May 16, the council unanimously voted to deny Northwoods Paving Company a special-use permit and advised Steiger to talk to the planning commission.

On June 8 the planning commission voted 4-1 to recommend the council rezone Steiger's property from an M-1 district to and M-2 district. Commissioner Bill McDonald was the "nay" vote.

At Tuesday's meeting, commission chairman John Turkal said residents have raised concerns regarding the location being close to residences, and possible allergies, noise, objectionable odors and heavy truck traffic the plant may cause.

Tara Weztel, of the paving company, said at the May 3 council meeting the plant will be located 1,415 feet from neighboring properties. She said the site is surrounded by several trees acting as sound barriers to help prevent noise coming from the plant. Wetzel said the paving company will add a solution to the asphalt that helps prevent odors.

Turkal said at Tuesday's meeting that no person with environmental expertise has been presented to refute Northwoods Paving Company's statement.

He said the only city street used by those accessing the property is Tamarack Avenue. He said the road is not paved once it passes Steiger's Home Center, which is east of all residences.

Turkal said Steiger's Timber Operations remains a 24-7 business. Besides lumber trucks owned by Steiger, Turkal said other trucks deliver lumber to and from his site. He said Steiger and his customers use Steiger's facilities for repair and maintenance of their equipment. Turkal said Steiger's facility is also leased to pipeline companies and others for welding fabrication.

Turkal said none of the residents adjacent to the Steiger property appeared at the June 8 planning commission, but noted Gotham's opposition letter.

Gotham wrote the city is in the process of developing a master plan and rezoning Steiger's property at this time is "inappropriate," adding that Steiger's property is on the east side of town located in a residential area and "sensible planning" would not put a heavy industrial district in that area.

Turkal said Gotham's correspondence "does not meet the real problem in our minds."

"We do not have an M-2 site that is ready to use/lease and will not be because of serious environmental concerns for our community," Turkal said. "He assumes that the current topographical features of the M-2 location to be flat, which in fact has a significant fall in elevation."

Turkal said Gotham "advocates a highly restrictive governmental control of a private business."

"We need to encourage more entrepreneur thinking within our community as Bessemer is predominately a government center which has no taxable relief for its residents," Turkal said.

As far as the planning commission is concerned, Turkal said Steiger is a "reputable small business man with a fine reputation."

In Bessemer, Turkal said the city has a "serious" need for road repair and replacement, and locating an asphalt plant there will save the city money.

In a letter to the council, Eric Brye, from Northwoods Paving Company said the approximate cost savings to Bessemer would be $3.20 per ton or $64 per truck load. In addition, he said the city will save on intangible costs, such as: fewer trucks on deteriorating city roads, less fuel usage, and quicker project completion times.

The city council did not take ant action on the matter. A public hearing is scheduled for Monday at 5:30 p.m.