During the recent Scottsboro City Council meeting, Ordinance 662 to rezone the Scottsboro Quarry Property was approved unanimously by the council.
In early June, the Scottsboro Planning Commission heard from residents and Lambert Contracting, LLC about the issue. The planning commission voted 2-2 on whether to recommend approval to the council. Presentations were made to council on June 16 and June 23 requesting a public hearing in front of the Scottsboro City Council, and finally on July 10, a public hearing was held. While many didn’t show up in opposition to the rezoning during the public hearing, several spoke on behalf of Lambert Contracting, LLC.
Cody Lambert with Lambert Contracting, LLC spoke to the council several times regarding the proposed quarry project. Lambert began clearing approximately 60 acres zoned for a quarry but requested an additional adjacent 60 acres be rezoned to allow quarry work to be performed. Lambert explained that of the 120 acres, only 70 acres would be actually mined.
The approval of Ordinance 662 allows the mountain portion of the quarry to be zoned the same as the bottom portion of the quarry property.
Lambert offered pre-blast inspections for everyone within 1500 feet of the quarry’s property.
DGH Engineering’s Stephen Blankenship then spoke to the council about his role of creating and operating a mining plan for the quarry. Blankenship explained that the reason for the rezoning has to do with the mining operation plan, which includes slopes, pit access, drainage control and safety benches. Landowner Justin Lackey spoke regarding the rezoning. Lackey explained that he and his wife had owned their farm located on this property for five years.
Lackey requested that his portion of land be rezoned for the quarry, explaining the he would never sell his land for a project he believed would be harmful to the community. Lackey further stated that he was the closest residence to the quarry, and despite living close to Vulcan, he had never had any issues.
One of the strongest statements came from 11-year-old Alivia Lambert, daughter of Cody and Brittany Lambert. Alivia stated, “Hi, my name is Alivia Lambert, daughter of Cody Lambert, and I’m also a student at Scottsboro City Schools. I’m here today in support of the rock quarry. I have attended most of the meetings with my dad. I have listened to all the concerns. My dad and many others have worked really hard to answer all of the concerns and questions. We care about the citizens of Scottsboro. We don’t want anyone to have any fears. Having a plan is important to ensure the resources are used in the best ways. Water will be recycled from the pond to cut down on waste and dust. Native plants and trees will be planted along the highway to help hide the quarry. There are also plans to recycle concrete and asphalt on site to keep it out of landfills. As a local business, Lambert Contracting wants to be supportive of Scottsboro and Jackson County. Lambert Contracting supports many activities at the schools and always tries to give to other organizations. The quarry will benefit not only the team at Lambert Contracting, but will help the community as a whole.”
The quarry is expected to bring in ten direct and five indirect jobs, $108 million in city taxes, $150 million in county tax dollars and $150 million in state tax dollars over 75 years.
