Concrete plant will require additional approval

STARKEY--After a lengthy discussion taking place over multiple meetings regarding a proposed concrete plant, the Starkey planning board discovered an issue with the application proposed by Custom Mix Concrete that has stalled the process. At issue is the presence of a silo that would be constructed for the plant that would not be designated for farm use, thereby violating local height requirements.
"So a determination is that we will not take action... if you wish to apply for [a] variance to change application that is an option," said Steven Fulkerson, vice-chair of the planning board. "We ask to keep information gathered today as evidence if that occurs."
According to Fulkerson, the max height allowed in Starkey for a farm silo is 49 feet.
"(Local statute) makes it quite clear that (it refers to) farm silos specifically... and while called a silo, (in the Custom Mix Concrete application) it is not a farm silo," said Fulkerson.
With that information, the board made the determination to take no action.
"The application does not comply; we appreciate your time and apologize that we did not catch it sooner... If you want to fill out a new application we can work together," Fulkerson said.
However, it was made clear to the applicants that while the planning board would work with them on a new application, the height issue is something that they can not resolve. Issues with height requirements in local laws must be settled before the zoning board of appeals as the ZBA holds jurisdiction over that issue. However, it was reiterated that if that path is taken, the ZBA will be making a determination on that issue only and the application will then come before the planning board again.
"There is an extra hurdle, so I am sorry about that," Fulkerson said.
Other discussion about the application mentioned the dimensions and scope of the project were not easily readable.
While business owners in the construction industry supported having concrete more readily available to aid in development, some residents and neighbors of the proposed plant have questioned the environmental and health impacts of siting a plant in Starkey.