In a surprise move earlier today and just days before the Special Called Meeting on Thursday, October 1, Jeff Shipman of SE Asphalt withdrew his application to rezone a 6.5 acre portion of land located on the northeast corner of Highway 176 and US Highway 25 (Exit 7 on Highway 25) to a conditional district to construct a new asphalt drum plant.
Without you, the future of East Flat Rock and Henderson County could look much different.
We want to personally thank MountainTrue for being our fundraising partner and thank all the members of Friends of East Flat Rock who signed the petition, displayed signs in front of their homes and businesses, attended public rallies online and at Orr’s Family Restaurant, donated money to cover legal and advertising expenses, and so generously gave much of their time and resources to help in our opposition against the proposed hot mix asphalt plant.
We also thank Mr. Shipman for recognizing during the course of this process that building an asphalt plant at that location isn’t right for the East Flat Rock community and for doing the right thing by withdrawing his application.
What’s next for Friends of East Flat Rock?
Our community of nearly 1,800 members on Facebook and more than 11,000 petition signers are standing by to notify each other and the surrounding the communities of issues as they arise in the future, with the intent to encourage a civil dialog when there is discourse, find common ground, and to always do what is best for the future economic development of East Flat Rock and Henderson County.
I’m speechless and overjoyed to hear of the victory! It was a battle won due to the voices and determination of many dedicated individuals!!
Although, my gut still doesn’t trust Mr. Jeff Shipman, I’ll listen to my heart, and pray, he saw the wisdom in caring about East Flat Rock future, over his personal monetary gain.
B Stoney, I’m with you. Thrilled beyond belief, and also wondering, “what’s next” re Mr. Shipman. Let’s savor this victory but remain on guard! Thanks so much to Friends of East Flat Rock for everything you have done.
At a time when derision has become the norm, it is good to know people can still unite for constructive change in a community. Good to see that the voice of the people can still be heard above one mans profit! Be vigilante, letting our guard down now could allow the wolf to sneak in the backdoor! Thanks to all who persevered!!
Thank you to all the good people who stood up for East Flat Rock.
I spent 20 years fighting to keep a landfill out of an environmentally sensitive area in upstate NY only to lose because politicians wanted it there.
I am so glad Mr. Shipman listened to the residents. I hope he can find a site that will work in an approved area.
Grateful and happy for the withdrawl.
Let’s celebrate but also change our focus to being activists on the codes and processes that let this kind of action get started in the first place. Expand the notification radius for development and zoning change requests in the community. Expand the limit radius for asphalt plants relative to residences to at least 1/4 mile. Mandate that asphalt plant must meet much more aggressive noise and emissions limits for our county with future requirements that make existing plants less detrimental to the community. Require that asphalt plants in our county have continuous emissions monitoring, reporting of particulate and VOC emissions AND public notification systems for emissions exceedences. Require plants to have fire suppression systems that can quickly extinguish a worst case fire.
We can and should make these things happen for the protection and improvement of our community.
Very happy to hear this news but wondering what is going on at the site with equipment and a driveway