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.

Attorney Lawrence Sager, of Sager & Sager Associates, Pottstown continued his cross-examination of Uday M. Patankar, formerly independent consultant turned Silvi Vice-President/director.  Mr. Sager represents Louis Farrell of Atomic International, a company that borders the proposed site.

During the two and a half hours of cross-examination, Sager questioned Patankar on whether it is the position of Gibraltar Rock, Inc. (GRI) that New Hanover Township was required to make a zoned area available that is applicable to the needs of the highway industry and that it must be identified as economically viable land. 

Sager asked Patankar about the time period around which GRI submitted their original application.  Specifically about whether GRI purchased the land knowing that there wasn’t enough land to make it economically viable. Patankar said they did because they planned to fight the zoning.

Sager questioned him about the type of rock found in the land. Sager asked about Hornfels, diabase, and the Brunswick formation.  Patankar really doesn’t know the geology because he’s not a geologist. For those of you wanting to know more, see this fairly easy to read paper by the Upper Perkiomen Creek Watershed. 

Sager next used the maps that GRI submitted to DEP to ask questions about rock found in the heavy industrial (HI) zoned portions that could be mined, but were not included in GRI’s estimate for economic viability.  Sager seemed to be saying that GRI purposely did not include it in their estimate. Sager also pointed out discrepancies in the maps submitted by GRI.

It's becoming obvious that Mr. Harris, attorney for GRI, has become worn out by this extended battle. With his head resting in his hands, only inches from the table top, Harris sighed and made random comments all during the meeting. It's worth the price of admission to see the once alert attorney reduced to making under his breath snipes at Ms. Bell and Mr. Sager.  

The last 10 minutes were spent with Ms. Bell, attorney for the zoning board, talking about issuing a subpoena to get data that Sager wants from Mr. Harris.

The hearing was adjourned.

See Also:
Summary of the previous Gibraltar 2 meeting (August 4, 2003)