The Hernando Board of County Commissioners will decide on the Cemex expansion, comprehensive plan amendment December 9th. The issue has been ongoing for several months and is highly contentious.
Cemex is proposing to expand their mine to nine parcels totaling 730 acres located across from Bayfront/Brooksville Regional Hospital. The prominent businessmen who own the parcels plan to lease them to Cemex for a 20 year mining project, then develop the properties as a residential area.
The Planning and Zoning Commission turned down the comprehensive plan amendment back in July saying that it does not fit in with the county’s land use plan and recommended the Board of County Commissioners reject the amendment.
Residents have strongly rejected the plan due to concerns about noise, air and potential well water pollution as well as property damage. They also state that a mine is counterproductive to the development of Hernando’s tourism industry, as the current tourism campaign being developed stresses Hernando as the “Nature Coast.” There are additional concerns about the proximity of the hospital, specifically blasts causing disruptions during delicate surgeries or affecting sensitive equipment. Also, the historic Spring Hill Cemetery is adjacent to the properties in question. The National NAACP will be submitting a report in regards to the cemetery prior to the Board of County Commissioners Meeting.
Cemex and several expert witnesses addressed many of these concerns during the July 14th Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting. Dust would be minimized by spraying trucks with water. Sensors in place monitor the air quality at the mine and have been below levels that would cause health concerns. Truck traffic would not be increased since Cemex plans to build an underground conveyor belt to transport material. Engineer Dave Teasdale reviewed the standards in place that protect structures, pavements, and water wells from vibrations. Jeffrey A. Straw, Vice President of GeoSonics Inc. discussed the placement of seismographs at the blasting locations to monitor vibrations. He also stated that karst features did not exist on the property. He did not foresee problems with water wells or sinkholes. Michael McElveen, President of Urban Economics, Inc., a real estate appraiser performed a study on the potential impact of mining on the sale price of nearby homes. He found no negative impact on the sale price of properties within a two mile radius of mines in Hernando County. Attorney Daryl Johnston disagreed with staff findings, stating that there were no endangered species other than gopher tortoises on the property which would be relocated. He also emphasized the need for lime rock aggregate material and the limitations on those resources in Florida.
Cemex asked for a postponement in presenting the amendment in front of the Board of County Commissioners after the July 14th, 2014 meeting. It was granted and the issue
was delayed until December 9th, 2014.
Cemex made a $10,000.00 contribution to the Hernando County Republican Executive Committee on September 20, 2014. Hernando Sun was unable to find contributions of a similar size in past years in Hernando County and also could not find similar contributions in Polk County, where they have a sand mine or in Hillsborough County. Cemex seems to place great value on the business opportunities in Hernando. It remains to be seen how this will all play out at the December 9th County Commission meeting.