New quarry proposed

Opposition attends quarry meeting

NOBLE TOWNSHIP - A trucking company president reportedly wants to have about 142 acres rezoned from agriculture to industrial to start a new stone quarry within 5 miles of the ConAg stone quarry.

More than 65 residents gathered on Thursday at the township community center to learn more about the zoning request.

The meeting was organized by resident Lauren Craft and attended by township zoning commissioner Vickie Nedderman. Nedderman noted at the meeting she is unable to vote on the application because of its proximity to her home.

Siblings John and Teri Hirschfeld, owners of ConAg, the existing stone quarry, led the meeting. They addressed residents' concerns and explained their affiliation with the newly proposed stone quarry.

The application to rezone 142 acres of land at 05330 Lock 14 Road from agricultural to industrial was made by Kevin Weber of trucking firm Weber Building Materials, attendees were told. The land is currently owned by Bruce and Luann Stoner.

Weber Materials, a different company than Weber Building Materials, currently has a mining contract with ConAg to crush stone, which ends in April 2030. Kevin Weber is also a partner in Weber Materials, according to John Hirschfeld.

Teri Hirschfeld said she and her brother had no prior knowledge of the proposal and that they have no desire to expand ConAg.

"What we do know is that we have had no interest (in expansion)," she said. "We never approached the Stoners to add property. It is not part of our plan for our quarry that exists today."

Craft and other local residents who oppose the zoning request created a website at msha.ke/nobletwpinfo.

A second quarry could potentially result in blasting disturbances, dust and disruption of natural ecosystems, according to the website.

"Many homes surrounding the proposed industrial zone will be negatively impacted by increased truck traffic, noise and dust pollution and potential home structural damage as well as a risk of severe well and/or water table damage," the website reads.

The website states that Weber's new quarry would be in competition with the ConAg quarry.

John Hirschfeld denied rumors that ConAg is running out of rock to mine.

"I've got an estimated 41 years," he said. "That's only the stuff that's encouraged by the dike and is what you guys consider to be the quarry. But the other … land goes up to 116 years of reserves if you take everything out."

The Hirschfeld family has ran the 270-acre quarry for about 45 years, Teri Hirschfeld said. Started by their father Bob Hirschfeld in 1979, the company is currently owned by John, Teri and two of their siblings who were unable to attend the forum.

All of their land is currently zoned and permitted for mining, she added.

Another concern voiced at the meeting was the influx of additional trucks to the proposed quarry and the potential damage to township roads.

"I was talking to a road contractor over in Indiana this morning," said John Hirschfeld. "I got costs. I haven't put pen to the paper yet, (but) roughly thinking out loud here, just for the new pavement and basically to put the road back on, I thought it was like $1,500,000. I'll have to check. Now that doesn't include the bridge… Where does that money comes from?"

It is unclear if Kevin Weber or Bruce and Luann Stoner were in attendance.

The Noble Township zoning commission will hold a public hearing at 6:30 p.m. April 10 at the Noble Township House to act upon Weber's application.

Correction: The application to rezone 142 acres of land in the 16000 block of County Road 66A from agricultural to industrial was made by Kevin Weber of trucking firm Weber Building Materials. Vickie Nedderman is a township zoning board member.