Alamance County group pushes for zoning change as heavy industry grows

A group in southern Alamance County is pushing to preserve the rural community and keep more heavy industry from setting up shop and is asking county commissioners to consider a new zoning proposal that would help make that happen.

The Snow Camp community is filled with agricultural farmland and a rich history. Its Quaker roots go back to the mid-1700s.  This rustic part of the Piedmont is also attracting big business. Alamance Aggregates secured a mining permit for a rock quarry. Blasting began last fall. 

Some residents say the industry is bringing unwanted noise, traffic, and environmental concerns.

The company's attorney, Tom Terrell, says Alamance Aggregates is following the rules in place and met all of the requirements under the county's Heavy Industrial Development Ordinance.

Right now though, the company lacks an operating permit from the county and those discussions are underway.

Terrell says the more than 300-acre site currently provides materials for the megasite in Randolph County.   

Jenefer Duane lives two miles away from the mine and is part of the community group called Snow Camp CAN. She says they want county commissioners to consider more protections for residents from any type of heavy industry. Those include a greater distance from property lines and establishing the community as a rural preservation district.

“It would preserve the rural community feeling we have here and it would give us the ability to help shape growth here," says Duane. "We know growth is coming. We know that there is a lot of pressure because of growth all around us, but we shouldn't become a dumping ground for heavy industry.”

Duane says the group hopes to get the zoning proposal on the county commission's agenda in the coming weeks.

Follow WFDD's Keri Brown on Twitter @kerib_news