Tarrant neighbors urge state to deny concrete plant application, tell company to withdraw
Around 500 residents crowded in to an events center in Mansfield Monday night, urging state officials to deny a permit for a concrete batch plant and telling the J7 Ready Mix company to withdraw its permit application
J7 Ready Mix, which already has a plant in Alvarado, applied for an air quality permit from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to build a concrete batch plant at 5428 E. FM 1187 in Rendon, between Mansfield and Burleson.
The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality hosted the public hearing in response to a request from state Rep. David Cook, who is concerned about the potential harmful effects the plant would have on residents.
Cook said the Mansfield City Council passed a resolution during a meeting Monday to oppose the concrete plant, and the Mansfield school board will vote on a similar resolution Tuesday night. The proposed location is 600 feet from a future intermediate school and 2,600 feet from a future high school.
“I think it’s a really bad idea down to its core,” Cook said.
Since residents got wind of the permit application in September, they organized a campaign on social media and held fundraisers and dinners to oppose the plant.
Concrete plants combine the cement, water, sand and rocks to create the concrete used for roads and buildings. Because the mixture hardens quickly, the plants must be close to construction projects, according to the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association.
Monday’s meeting gave the neighbors an opportunity to ask questions of TCEQ and company officials and to comment on the air quality permit under review.
Pamela Johnson, who lives near the site of the proposed concrete plant, asked J7 representatives, “Concerning the pollutants that would be released near a grocery store, a church and children’s playground and many homes, including mine, would you consider withdrawing your application?” she said to loud applause from the audience.
There was no response from company officials.
J7 Ready mix officials faced criticism from residents who said the company failed to comply with proper procedures, such as obtaining the necessary permits to build in Tarrant County and failing to give proper notification concerning the air quality permit.
“This was a lack of knowledge on our part, said J7 co-manager Fernando Garcia. “We are doing everything possible to ensure safety.”
Company officials said there would be little dust produced. The cement comes from Mexico, and would not have lime in it, the said.
Another resident asked about the company’s water supply. J7 Ready Mix would bring water to the site from a well in Alvarado.
During an interview, Garcia said the J7 Ready Mix plant is in a more isolated location near one home.
He added that the property in Rendon is family-owned and that original plans called for opening a trucking business, but the company started the Ready Mix business in March.
Residents also asked officials from the TCEQ about the J7 Ready Mix application, which received a notice of deficiency for failing to provide proper notification and for displaying the permit application at the Burleson Public Library instead of in Tarrant County.
Victor Gonzalez, who is with the air quality division, said the company corrected the deficiencies.
But residents were vehement in their opposition to the concrete plant, which would be about 440 yards from many homes.
During the comments portion of the meeting, many people who were in their 70s talked about how they worried the pollution from the plant would affect their health and their loved ones with health conditions such as autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Brian Loveless described how his wife battled cancer.
“There is no need for her to be exposed. Cement plants are notorious for emitting pollutants,” he said.
Donna Phillips, who built her home 42 years ago, said she has a chronic liver condition.
“I never imagined the concrete dust; it’s not safe,” she said.
The TCEQ is accepting comments through Jan. 4. A decision on whether to approve the J7 permit will be made after the comments are reviewed.
Residents may also request a contested hearing in writing.