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| Aluminum Castings Gets Permission to Expand |
Galesburg's Aluminum Castings will get the chance to expand its business, after concerns not just related to environmental were aired in a marathon Galesburg City Council session Monday night.
Aldermen voted six-to-two to allow the re-zoning so the plant can do heavy industrial manufacturing in the plant. Fourth Ward Alderman Corine Andersen, and Fifth Ward Alderman Peter Schwartzman were the two "no" votes.
Schwartzman, who expressed concern about the plant's emissions prior to expansion, said in a prepared statement he was just doing what he should do to address the issue before making a vote, and that his ward was divided on the matter.
"I've heard from twenty constituents on this matter," he said. "Ten believe that we should vote yes and allow the conditional zoning of Aluminum Castings' newly acquired land to heavy industrial. Ten others believe that we should vote no."
Geoff Bacci with Aries Consulting, the firm Aluminum Castings consults with on environmental matters, says there's nothing to worry about.
"Aluminum Castings-- even with an estimated three-fold increase in emissions over their current rates-- (it) would be more like 15,000 pounds in a year," Bacci said. "These are annual numbers."
Bacci says that would make the firm still a very minor polluter.
Several residents also echoed the environmental concerns, while others were concerned solely about the impact on children. Several claim the process by which the zoning was brought to the city wasn't transparent enough, with at least one of those claiming that the city once again is engaging in spot-zoning.
Aluminum Castings says it simply wants to be a good neighbor. |
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| 07 03 12 by Newsroom |
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