New Carlisle City Council expressed their objections to plans for a gravel pit to be built in the area of U.S. 40 and State Route 235 in Bethel Township.

The plans call for the facility to be located southeast of the intersection with the entrance near the area of the former Bethel Township offices.

“They’re saying it will have 52,000 trucks per year servicing the facility,” said Council member John Krabacher. “52,000 per year! Can you imagine the wear and tear on the roads in the area?”

Council member Lowell McGlothin added, “It could be here 30 to 100 years and only generate 15 jobs. And it will be at one of the deadliest intersections in the county.”

Perhaps the most scathing remarks came from Rick Lowrey, who noted that the developer “has a history of not finishing what he started. McKees Mill sat there for 14 years with only one house built. What would happen if he starts this then runs out of other peoples’ money. Then we have a mud field with roads.”

Council passed a resolution expressing their official concern regarding the placement of the gravel pit at that location. They urged “the Clark County Board of Zoning Appeals to listen to all citizen concerns and to make a careful and informed decision.”

The Clark County Board of Zoning Appeals has scheduled a public hearing on the matter for Thursday, June 24 at 2:00 PM at the Springview Government Center, 3130 E. Main St. in Springfield. The meeting is open to the public.

McGlothin expressed concern that potholes throughout the city don’t seem to be getting patched. He said he has received quite a few complaints from city residents. City Manager Kim Jones credited the large amount of rain we have had lately and all of the other chores that the city crews have been given as part of the delay.

City Planning Director Tim Howard said that he is still receiving complaints about the building at Church and Lake that burned last year. He said that he has been in constant communication with the owners, and that the progress seems to have increased and security has been improved.

Howard said that as long as there are improvements every six months, the owners are in compliance with the law.

In addition to the resolution regarding the gravel pit, city council passed

• Resolution 10-08R directing the Clark County Board of Elections to place the Health Levy renewal on the November 2 ballot
• Ordinance 10-27 regarding video service provider origination points
• Ordinance 10-28 authorizing the City Manager to enter into an agreement with Time Warner Cable to provide internet access at the City Building and the Sheriff’s Substation

The next New Carlisle City Council meeting will be on Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at the Smith Park Shelter House at 7:00 PM. The public is invited to attend.