HARRISBURG, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — The Town of Harrisburg Board of Adjustment allowed a continuance in a controversial proposed industrial landfill site Wednesday night.
The announcement came just minutes into the hearing, where a packed room of people had been waiting to get more information on the proposed project and wanting to make their opinion known. But neither of which happened after Venator, the company requesting the special use permit for the landfill, requested the continuance until March.
Venator, which produces chemicals for everything from cosmetics to cars, had proposed turning a lagoon on their property off Phar Mill Road into an industrial waste landfill. Since news of the proposal, there has been vehement opposition on the part of nearby residents and even from Harrisburg’s leadership.
Residents have previously noted to Queen City News about the good stewardship of the company in the neighborhood, noting little, if any, issues with smells or noise.
Casey Burke, who attend the only minutes-long meeting Wednesday, noted her own opposition to the proposed project, but said she attended the meeting in hopes of learning more about what Venator wanted to do with the land, and the potential environmental impact.
“We won’t know there’s a problem until the problem is too late to be fixed,” Burke said. “There are serious health concerns. There are property value concerns.”
Wednesday’s meeting was described as somewhat chaotic, given the number of those in attendance. A livestream posted on the town’s YouTube page showed the Board of Adjustment banging their gavel for order multiple times, along with some audible objections from those in attendance.
Town leaders have made their own objections to the project known.
The statement in full from Harrisburg Town Manager Rob Donham:
We certainly understand the frustration of our residents at the continuation of this public hearing. The Venator legal team requested a public document after business hours on Friday, January 10th during a regional snow event. The 2-page document was sent to them for review on Monday, January 13th. The Town remains openly opposed to the approval of this special-use permit, and we will present our case to the Board of Adjustment for why they should deny it at the rescheduled meeting on March 4th. We continue to urge our residents to review the publicly available documents and information on this permit application. Board of Adjustment members are volunteer residents in our community and value the safety and well-being of our Town just as much as their neighbors. We have confidence they will utilize their background and experience in this quasi-judicial hearing and carefully consider the evidence presented to them by both parties to render a fair judgment that abides by the laws and standards set for Harrisburg.
Rob Donham
Queen City News reached out to Venator for a comment on the continuance and to address any health and environmental concerns associated with the project.
The hearing was continued until March 4 at 5:30 p.m. at Venture Church Auditorium, located at 4245 Main St.
