Agenda - 09-06-2012 - 6a - Laserfiche WebLink

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44 May 11,2012 TO: Orange County Commissioners Orange County Planning Department Orange County Attorney FROM: Charles P. Gunter 4411 Highway 70 East, Durham, Orange County, NC SUBJECT: Gorilla Materials, Inc.—Permits for Expansion of Operations Tuesday afternoon, May 8th, I became aware that the subject company has purchased an additional eleven (11) acres of land adjacent to and north of their existing operation at 7012 Mt. Hermon Church Road. As a concerned citizen, representing many other concerned citizens in the Eno District of Orange County, I implore you to cease any and all additional permitting for any expansion of the operations of Gorilla Materials, Inc. until adequate studies are made regarding the environmental impact of the operations of this company. Detrimental effects of existing operations include, but are not limited to: • Excessive stormwater runoff into Stoney Creek/Eno River/Upper Neuse River • Increased non-point source pollution into our drinking water supply due to leaching of unknown materials stockpiled in open areas • Increased particulate pollution introduced into the air in the sensitive Hwy 70 and 1-85 junction (refer to EPA alerts) • Heavy truck traffic on Hwy 70 E, Mt. Hermon Church Road —destroying road surfaces and causing dangerous traffic problems • Extreme level of noise created by uncovered and non-noise abating rock grinders and tree shedders • Excessive noise from dump trucks slamming tailgates to dislodge materials • Excessive diesel engine noise caused by the use of heavy highway earth moving equipment in a residential area Attached is a letter sent to members of the Orange County Committee for the Environment, concerning some aspects of the problems currently caused by the operations of Gorilla Materials, Inc. That letter was sent before I learned of the planned expansion of operations.