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.

The meeting began the testimony of witness Dr. Rose, a colleague of the previous witness Dr. David Gold. Rose is also an economic geologist and was entered into testimony by Ms. Julie Von Spreckelsen, the townships attorney for Gibraltar 1.

The discussion focused on a document not available to the audience, a document that supported the position that GR 1 represented an economically viable quarry.

Harris refuted that conclusion with some strong technical arguments.  They included:

1. The amount of space allocated by Rose for processing equipment, scale house and water retention ponds was very much too small.  So Harris concludes, if the acreage for these things is realistic, then there is not enough acreage left over for a viable quarry.  Harris made a persuasive case for more land until near the end of the hearing when a Zoning Hearing Board member pulled out a map from a much earlier era in which Gibraltar Rock’s design for non-quarry land use was smaller than that which Harris now wants.  Harris appeared to back down, but it was not clear who won the argument.
   
2. Rose’s cost assigned to rolling stock was much too low.  Harris’s rebuttal stated that If the loader and truck were properly matched the cost would go up and if the cost goes up it takes more reserve to make a viable quarry.  Rose replied that a few points here and there was not such a big deal, but Harris didn’t agree.
   
3. Rose’s estimate for additional land acquisition was too low, said Harris.  Rose used the average cost of current land acquisition, $21,000 per acre, and applied it to the cost of additional acreage to be acquired.  Harris did not use numbers but strongly suggested that the price of new land would be much higher.

Rose's conclusion:  GR 1 can’t fly.  Assumptions to the contrary are based on numbers that are all too low.

James Wozniak, the township code enforcement officer was then put on the stand.  Questions and cross examination focused on the question of where it was possible to place the berm that surrounds the quarry.  Julie wanted it argued that the berm could be placed in the LI district.  Harris, with more technical considerations, argued that the berm had to be in the HI district.

Wozniak's conclusion:  GR 1 can’t fly.  With space needed, as per the above, and space needed for berms, there just isn’t enough land left over to bother digging a hole in the ground.

GR 1 will continue on May 19 with Harris offering rebuttals.

See Also:
Summary of the previous meeting (April 7, 2005)