After a vote of 5-0, Kern County supervisors say they need more time to investigate what's at stake over the operation of a concrete recycling plant on Hageman Road and Santa Fe Way.
Mark Polhamus owns the recycling plant that has caused neighbors in the area to become worried. "We'll give them [county supervisors] their other study and let them make their decision based off that," says Polhamus.
Neighbors believe the tons of concrete and asphalt crushing will generate lots of noise and bad air quality. "I just don't know about the air pollution," said Jennifer Hoogland, who lives near the plant. "I just don't want my kids breathing in things. I've got allergies as it is."
More than 200 people have signed a petition against the plant, but zoning history shows the very site Polhamus wants to operate on was approved for industrial use in 1978. The area was largely agricultural at that time.
In recent years, residential permits have been awarded in the surrounding areas by the Kern County Planning Commission.
Homes have been built, encroaching on Polhamus' property.
"We, many of the residents were there as many as 15 years ago," says Catherine Jones, a local resident. "He was there five years ago."
3rd district Supervisor Mike Maggard says a litany of mistakes has created a "lose-lose" situation. "I think that's principally the result of the mismanagement of our process," Maggard stated at the board meeting Tuesday.
One solution suggested was to limit the number of days per year Polhamus will be allowed to crush concrete. An independent study will now examine the air quality situation, giving the supervisors more evidence to review before making a final decision.
