Cemex representatives requested an amendment to the Comprehensive Plan, involving a rezoning of 730 acre tract from agricultural and residential to mining and commercial. Several other changes to mapping and land-use were also part of the request.
Hernando County Planner Cayce Dagenhart kicked off the three-hour meeting, presenting the land-use map, which shows the tract north of Cortez Boulevard, running east and south of Ft. Dade Avenue, effectively extending existing mining and commercial zoning from the north. Dagenhart also identified 20 issues during her presentation, affecting area wildlife, wetlands, Bayfront Hospital staff and patients, as well as future redevelopment, returning the land to residential use.
Dagenhart explained that the findings of the land use investigation showed that there are incompatible land uses surrounding the property, that could be mitigated with increased setbacks, an overhead conveyor to prevent damage to the tree canopy on Ft. Dade and using a clay base layer at the end of mining activity to assist in the reclamation of the property for development.
“The comprehensive plan also recognizes that limestone is a valuable resource,” Dagenhart said. Limerock mines have been in continuous operation in this area for more than 75 years, serving as a source of employment for the County and providing rock aggregate and cement as its product. Hernando County’s Brooksville Ridge contains most of the viable deposits of Suwannee limestone, evidenced by the clustering of rock mines northwest of Brooksville.
Attorney Darryl Johnston, who represents the Cemex Corporation, kicked off the lengthy discussion, beginning with the explanation of the proposed map. “The map amendment … also accomplishes a connection between Citrus Way to the north, and California Street to the south without eminent domain or extra expense to the county.”
“Aggregate mining has gone on in Hernando County since the 1920s,” Johnston said of the proposed zoning change, “This is not going to go on forever,” he continued, explaining that the ownership group of the property, not the Cemex company, wants to make sure the land has a use in the future, after the twenty-year mining project is completed.
Johnston acknowledged the presence of gopher tortoises on the proposed land, and told the board that the species would be relocated. “We disagree with the provision that there is a loss of wildlife habitat that would justify any mitigation. We just don’t believe it should be part of the comp [sic] plan.” He did say that conservation easements were discussed previously, and would be employed if necessary.
Several expert witnesses followed, including a geologist and wildlife biologist who explained the specifics of blasting, limestone differences and affected wildlife in the area. A financial expert showed that Cemex pays $4.7 million annually in property taxes.
None of Hernando County residents who came to speak to the board were in favor of the mine expansion.
The first member of the public to speak was Dr. Marc Yacht, who also holds a Master’s degree in public health, and was Pasco County’s Health Department Executive Director from 1987-2007. Dr. Yacht cautioned the board against “studies suggesting no health risk relating to cement mining.” He went on to caution against research in general that is funded by the industry, and therefore not independent.
“Liability is something you must consider,” Dr. Yacht began, describing the proximity of the proposed mining operation to homes and a major hospital. Specifically addressing mining threats to public health, Dr. Yacht detailed respiratory diseases such has chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, both of which could be aggravated by an increase in particulates in the air.
Over twenty individuals brought their concerns to the board, as did committee and organization leaders, focused on environmental matters and conservation. Representing three organizations, one citizen called it, “a bad deal for Hernando county.”
Answering some of the public’s concerns, Attorney Johnston stated he had letters from Bayfront Hospital and the Spring Hill Cemetery “saying they’re not concerned.” Johnston went on to explain “blasting” in the industry and how it’s performed under modern conditions.
Dr. Christopher Teaf, a Tallahassee toxicologist, addressed concerns of increased particles in the air, particularly silicates and asbestos. At the request of the Board of County Commissioners in 2000, three facilities were installed to measure air quality. According to Teaf, 17 years of data show particulates “well below health-based levels,” even when standards were raised in 2012.
Silica and asbestos were mentioned as air particles produced from mining. According to Dr. Teaf, the type of silica released is silicon dioxide, commonly known as “sand.” Addressing asbestos, Dr. Teaf explained that asbestos is not associated with limestone environments, and was not certain why the issue was raised, saying “it’s simply erroneous.”
The commissioners spent time considering several issues of property rights versus environmental concerns, ultimately leading to a motion to deny the plan amendment by Commissioner Denis Riley, seconded by Commissioner W. Steven Hickey, which passed unanimously. In summary, Commission Chair Lynn Gruber-White stated, “This board is looking specifically at what it perceives as the compatibility of this project to the surrounding properties … the surrounding properties were purchased with the understanding that they were going to be mixed-use residential area.”