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City to re-enact SunCoke zoning
Process will go back through planning commission, council rather than through courts after Garden Manor filed suit.
Comment: Do you agree with the city's decision?
Friday, June 06, 2008
MIDDLETOWN — At the request of SunCoke Energy Inc., the city of Middletown will go through the entire rezoning process, which also means proponents and opponents will again have the opportunity to make comments at public hearings.
The city and SunCoke both say the rezoning of 157 acres between Ohio 4 and Yankee Road in the 2nd Ward was "in accordance with all applicable laws," but said it would be easier to re-enact the zoning request and address some of the alleged deficiencies rather than go through litigation, said Sara Mills, the city's assistant law director.
Extras
In mid-May, Garden Manor Extended Care Inc., which opposed the rezoning from residential to industrial for the proposed $340 million cokemaking and electric generation plant, filed a lawsuit in Butler County Common Pleas Court against the city, Middletown City Council and the city planning commission.
In a lengthy news release jointly issued by the city and SunCoke late Thursday afternoon, June 5, SunCoke's general counsel, Mark McCormick, said the city "went to great lengths" to ensure residents had a chance to express their opinions on the rezoning request and that the emergency ordinance was properly adopted.
SunCoke added the "allegations made in the lawsuit are baseless and without merit" and that two of the alleged defects "involve procedural technicalities that have no substantive relevance."
Mills said the text of the zoning code regarding general industrial districts and setbacks for industrial production facilities would be amended.
The process will go back to the beginning for consideration by the planning commission and eventual confirmation by council, which could take until early September to complete, Mills said.
Comments
By DeeDee
June 12, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
Middy - What are you thinking? The people opposing this re-zoning issue are not opposing the coke plant at all. We are very much in favor of AK having their coke plant but, behind the FENCE where it belongs NOT in our back yards. We are not people on welfare. We pay our taxes and we do not demand any type of government hand outs. We are hard working people who have invested in our wonderful homes in our beautiful neighborhoods. We are not willing to give up our quality of life and the health of our children and grandchildren for corporate greed. I would think that many of the residents in Garden Manor were Middletown citizens who also paid their taxes and contributed to the city. They deserve to live out the rest of their lives without a noisy, ugly, polluting coke plant next door!
What’s wrong with you? Can you not see that this is not a good thing for any involved except AK. AK does have numerous alternatives! Make them use one of them!
By Old Kaiser Guy
June 10, 2008 5:39 AM | Link to this
Just one question for all of you people who think that this outside company should build a facility on AK property: What makes you so sure that AK does not have plans of their own for for their vacant land “inside the fence”? (Assuming they can nail down coke costs and cheap energy.)
By Haxon Steele
June 9, 2008 11:04 AM | Link to this
AK has more than enough room to build a new coke plant INSIDE it’s fences. There is the old Still Battery area, The #2 Open Hearth area, The Old #1 Open Hearth and Old Hot Strip area. Old #1 Boiler House area, The Old Scrap Prep area.
I’d like to know why AK Steal feels it needs to disrupt more of Middletown”s Residence. “Is it Need or is it Greed?”
By Regina
June 7, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this
City of Middletown wake up.Ak Steel has a place right there in the Mill to build the SunCoke plant.The old Coke Battery could be done to rebuild in the same location.Contact the Sierra Club again. EPA allows them to build on the same foundation.Look at what the CEO of AK Steel has done to our community and surrounding areas.They lock out our guys.Frank Schiavone, I stand behind you. Let West Chester have it close to their Main office.They wouldn’t hire anyone from around here.Check it out people
By Napoleone
June 6, 2008 10:01 PM | Link to this
The 75 jobs this plant will bring is not, alone, worth the price. However, the 2,000 or more jobs at Middletown Works which may be lost if this plant does not get built will be substantial. For a picture of what Middletown could look like, go check out Wilmington after ABX closes.
By Napoleone
June 6, 2008 10:00 PM | Link to this
The 75 jobs this plant will bring is not, alone, worth the price. However, the 2,000 or more jobs at Middletown Works which may be lost if this plant does not get built will be substantial. For a picture of what Middletown could look like, go check out Wilmington after ABX closes.
By John
June 6, 2008 8:42 PM | Link to this
I believe AK has enough romm at the Middletown works to build this plant on if they really need it.
By Deidra
June 6, 2008 7:57 PM | Link to this
Lynn, My hat is off to those folks who were willing to work hard to make your “big money”. They invested their hard earned cash in homes which improved Middletown and the Garden Manor area. They do not deserve to suddenly have their real estate investments worth only a small fraction of their former worth. Many of these folks are retirement age and the equity in their homes is what they were planning to live on during their golden years. So sad…
By Middy
June 6, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
Lets see, how long has AK been in town? so why are a very few loud mouths crying about an expansion of what is really an existing industry. These are the same people that demand the government pay for all their services, they don’t pay taxes because they are on welfare and complain that they can’t find a job. They always seem to have enough money for beer and cigerettes.
By M.SANDERS
June 6, 2008 7:24 PM | Link to this
THE BLAST FURNACE IS STILL IN OPERATION IN MIDDLETOWN FYI
By lin
June 6, 2008 4:44 PM | Link to this
Gonna give opponents and proponents a chance to speak again? Why? They sat there for 4+ hours and without a discussion just pushed it on through.
In answer to someones comment about the Co. moving here…It’s not the issue of the company, it’s the PLACEMENT of this plant. Be honest would YOU want this in YOUR backyard? and I mean LITERALLY in your backyard.
By gary
June 6, 2008 4:04 PM | Link to this
you dont do things over if you done it right.
By Keith
June 6, 2008 1:48 PM | Link to this
Yea right its bring in what75 employee’s? The city needs to think real hard on this. Might just be for there best intrest if they still want to sit where they are. How can they say that its good for Middletown,when they have Garden Manor right there. I bet and i dont know but The Senoir’s that are there are pronbaly Middletown Residents. How can they not see the health issue’s for them. Thats My story and Im sticking to it.
By Woody
June 6, 2008 12:58 PM | Link to this
I grew up in Middletown. I can remember that when the blast furnace was operating the town was coated with a red dust. Everyone groaned. You can`t help but wonder if this will be the same thing. Building councils do not always make the best decisions for the populas.
By Woody
June 6, 2008 12:57 PM | Link to this
I grew up in Middletown. I can remember that when the blast furnace was operating the town was coated with a red dust. Everyone groaned. You can`t help but wonder if this will be the same thing. Building councils do not always make the best decisions for the populas.
By Lynn
June 6, 2008 12:14 PM | Link to this
What is the big deal about this Company moving in here. Middletown needs more jobs for our people. I believe people will complain about anything if given a chance. The people who make the big money ought to think about the people that aren’t make any money.