Planning Commission Clears Preliminary Plan for Asphalt Plant, Raises Local Concerns

The Lafayette County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a preliminary site plan for a hot mix asphalt plant proposed by Magnolia Materials in the Max D. Hipp Industrial Park. The recommendation came after a regular meeting at which Planning Commission members voted in favor by a four to zero margin. Earlier this month the Lafayette County Board of Supervisors approved a lease granting Magnolia Materials use of a 22 acre parcel in the park for an initial term of 35 years, with the lease limiting property use to an asphalt plant.

The project remains contingent on permits and approvals from the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality and other state agencies, and must comply with county land development regulations and site plan review requirements. Planning Commission Chair Ray Garrett told the meeting that state environmental oversight governs the review process. “Site plan approval is always subject to DEQ review and approval,” Garrett said. “No site plan approval moves forward without that approval.” Garrett also said the commission lacks authority to bar a use that is allowed by existing zoning. “The Planning Commission does not have the authority to say you can’t do this,” Garrett said. “It’s specifically allowed by the zoning ordinances that were adopted before this commission.”

Engineer John Granberry, representing Magnolia Materials, said the plant would be capable of producing up to 300 tons of asphalt per hour and would store up to 20 trucks on site to limit backups along County Road 166. He described topography that includes about 40 feet of elevation change between the plant and the southern boundary, a design that would reduce visual impact. Magnolia Materials has received Mississippi Department of Health approval for a small spray field wastewater system for a limited office area, and the city of Oxford has approved water service via a 16 inch water line that company representatives say could support future development along County Road 166.

Company plans include an oversized stormwater detention facility designed to meet industrial stormwater permit standards, measures to shut off the pond in the event of a spill, oil water separators, and replacement of vegetative buffers where possible. The detention pond is designed to contain runoff from a ten year storm without releasing water downstream.

Residents who spoke during the meeting expressed concerns about environmental impacts, public health, infrastructure strain, and erosion in nearby creeks and neighborhoods. Although the Planning Commission meeting was not a public hearing, Chair Garrett allowed comment. Concerned residents have launched a petition to rezone the remaining empty lots in the industrial park to light industrial instead of heavy industrial, seeking to limit uses that would allow an asphalt plant. The petition had about 500 signatures as of December 29, with rezoning expected to take several months if pursued.

With preliminary site plan approval, Magnolia Materials may begin site preparation, while the Board of Supervisors could make its own approval contingent on state permits. The Board is scheduled to consider the preliminary site plan on January 5 at 5 p.m. at the Lafayette County Chancery Building. Residents wishing to follow the process or raise concerns can attend that meeting and monitor state permitting decisions as they move forward.