Note: The following is not a verbatim transcript of the Zoning Hearing Board meeting; it is simply one person’s summary of the major points made by those involved in the hearing process.  For that reason, quotation marks are not used unless a direct quote was recorded.  For information about obtaining an official ZHB transcript, contact the New Hanover Township office.

What is GR 2?

IMPORTANT:

It is our turn!  Get your questions ready.  The lawyers will all step aside.  At the next meeting of Gibraltar Rock 2, on December 18^th, there will be an opportunity for citizens to ask questions of Mr. Patankar, V.P. of Gibraltar Rock and author of their application for a noncoal mining permit. 

This meeting on 11/06/03 began as a continuation  of cross examination of Uday Patanker by Attorney Sager.

Mr. Sager asked a number of complex questions relative to:

• The March 2001 land purchased and the beginning of GR 1.
• Reserves were not sufficient in the original purchase requiring an additional 23 acres.
• The need for a  “Special Exception” in GR 2

Mr. Patankar stressed that he had no idea how many acres  of LI was needed for GR 1 to have adequate reserves.

Mr. Patankar acknowledged that the land in GR 1 is sufficient for the commercial  development  of minerals.

Sager stressed that the application  bought more land for a larger quarry

Mr. Sager moved to the concept of what is commercially reasonable:

Patankar replied that the concept involves economics, but does not involve other Silvi facilities.

Mr. Patankar described his duties and noted that his Company must conform to environmental issues

Sager raised questions about quarry production going to N.J.

Reply: 40% of rock quarried would be used by other Silvi operations.

There are two sand operations in NJ, one at Eagleswood and one at Brick.

An exhibit marked Atomic 10 was introduce which  shows other quarries where rock can be purchased.

Data from the Stag report was referenced for the price of rock at other quarries.

Stag Report was used to back up company estimate of profitability.

Mr. Sager established the following sequence

Jan 2001 property purchased

Stag was hired in summer of 2002.

Atomic 11 exhibit shows expenditures for mining plan, reserve and economic feasibility.

Attorney  Sager finished his questions and Mr. Recruiti (Sp?)

Mr. R was told that other than sediment, discharge water will be pure,

Mr. R received no answer to his questions about the impact of water run off on animal life

Patankar replied that the issue was not studied because it is not required.

There was a discussion about wetlands and what is preempted by the state.

There was a review of a document comparing zoning regs and state law - 25.PA Code

GR 27 exhibit was presented and Questions about pipes to handle ground water.

Mr. Patankar agreed that neighbor has a real concern  about water run off

In answer to questions Mr. Patankar stated that the size of pipe for water drainage and the question of how the pipe (s) will be contained can not be stated at this time.

Mr. Harris led with some questions to establish that there were 218 acres in GR 1 and 241 acres in GR 2

GR 32 was distributed. Reprint from open space plan update of 1999,

Mr. Patankar drew attention to the Hornfeld formations in the rock to be quarried.

There was a discussion of code and zoning ordinances and the issue of preemption, but nothing conclusive.

The reader of these notes will undoubtedly find them difficult to follow.  It seems as if the purpose of the evening was to establish some fine points to be used at a later date.

The next meeting of GR 2 and opportunity for citizen’s questions will be Dec. 18^th.

The hearing was adjourned.

See Also:
Summary of the previous Gibraltar 2 meeting (October 14, 2003)