News Summary

MIDDLETOWN — A crowd of about six dozen people turned out for a 3½-hour public hearing and discussion of a proposed rezoning of property that is a contender for a $300 million new technology coke oven plant.

A day after Monroe City Council announced its objection to the proposed location off Ohio 4 near the Middletown-Monroe border, Middletown Planning Commission's Wednesday, March 12, meeting was abuzz with Monroe residents and other property owners concerned about the possible impact of a proposed coke plant that Knoxville, Tenn.-based SunCoke Energy may build.

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Lemon Twp. Trustee Robert Snook speaks to the Middletown Planning Commission on Wednesday, March 12, during a public hearing on the rezoning of 157 acres, which is the site of a possible $300 million new technology coke plant. Snook, a retired AK coke plant supervisor, is one of many who oppose the proposed rezoning.Click to enlarge

The facility proposed for the 157-acre site off Ohio 4 would produce coke and electricity for nearby AK Steel Corp.'s Middletown Works that also would be sold to the wholesale electric market.

"I can't understand why this can't be built inside the Middletown Works," said Robert Snook, a Lemon Twp. trustee and retired technical manager of the coke plant at the Middletown steel mill.

The Middletown Planning Commission voted unanimously to table its decision pending additional information.

Commission member Perry Thatcher said he was "offended" because SunCoke, which provided a lengthy document to the commission just prior to the meeting, didn't allow the commission enough time to examine the information.

Ryan Osterholm, SunCoke's director of project development, said their plants have the lowest overall emissions in the industry worldwide and are in compliance with all state and federal regulations.

Also speaking in favor were Alan McCoy, AK's vice president of government and public relations, Scott Rich, president of the local Machinists union at AK's Middletown Works, and several others.

Bill Murphy, city economic development director, said approval would assist the city in focusing on its goals of advanced manufacturing and materials and diversifying and modernizing the local economy.

Among the numerous Monroe residents who spoke was Lisa Frye of Niederlander Lane, who said she understands from a business standpoint the need for a coke plant.

She said Garden Manor Retirement Village can be seen from her backyard, but said she hadn't heard anyone acknowledge the position of the affected residents.

Frye said she wants Middletown and AK Steel to thrive, but she wants to be able to enjoy her home and not worry about air or noise nuisances, and asked whether the AK and SunCoke representatives would want a coke plant built in their backyards.

"I think you should treat others they way you'd want to be treated," she said.

Planners have more questions

The issue of a proposed rezoning of 157 acres that would facilitate the construction of a proposed $300 million new technology coke oven plant will return for consideration by the Middletown Planning Commission sometime in the next 30 days.

At its Wednesday, March 12, meeting, the planning commission voted to table the matter so that it could get some questions answered as well absorb the dearth of information provided by the proponents and opponents of the rezoning request.

Nearly 70 people attended the hearing that lasted about 3 1/2 hours. The audience was primarily Monroe residents concerned about the possible effect the rezoning and proposed construction of a $300 million coke plant to be owned and operated by SunCoke Energy of Knoxville, Tenn.

Several of the commission members were unhappy with so much information being provided when they arrived for the meeting because it was received by the city staff earlier in the day.

The rezoning request was being sought by the city so that it would conform with its master plan.

In the past few weeks, city officials were contacted by SunCoke Energy about the proposed project that would produce additional coke as well as sell regenerated electricity from the heat recovery cokemaking process for AK Steel Corp.'s Middletown Works to ensure long-term viability of the steelmaker in Middletown.

Commission member Perry Thatcher said he was "offended" that he did not get all of the information before the meeting as he needs time to read and absorb the information.

Commission member Christopher Amburgey told the large audience he wants AK to look at everything again and that "everyone needs to take a step back" before a decision is made because it is such an emotional issue.

"I want to know if it absolutely has to happen on this acreage," he said.

Councilman Tony Marconi, the council's liaison to the commission, said everyone agrees that the community needs AK and a new coke oven is needed.

Other commission members were concerned about how much property was needed and wanted to ensure sufficient buffering between the industrial and residential areas.

Commission Chairman Tom Brickey said he wanted a better idea of the size, positioning and dimensions of the proposed plant.

Another commission member, Frances Carlson, noted that a company has come to Middletown but hasn't really decided to come to Middletown.

"I would feel equally guilty if we lose this opportunity and they go somewhere else," Carlson said.

SunCoke in February submitted permit application to Ohio EPA for Middletown site

Frank Schiavone, a local attorney whose property abuts the parcel to be rezoned, showed the commission a copy of a permit application SunCoke Energy had submitted in February to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency for a permit to install a coke plant facility on the Middletown site.

Schiavone then asked the commission for a new deadline to submit information and requested an additional public hearing.

Ryan Osterholm, SunCoke Energy's director of project development, told the commission that his company is interested in the parcel under consideration for rezoning because it provides rail access as well as reduces environmental liabilities and other potential business risks.

Joe Trauth, an attorney representing SunCoke Energy, said the company would have to meet the 600-foot setback requirements and the area would be leveled out for construction, creating a huge berm and natural buffer.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or erichter@coxohio.com.