Geryville Quarry Fight Continues in Lower Milford

A planning expert said Wednesday that plans for the proposed Geryville Materials quarry do not conform to Lower Milford's ordinances regarding tree replanting, woodlands and wetlands, and warned that not enough is known about a landfill on the property.

Charlie Schmehl, testifying as a township witness bef0re the Zoning Hearing Board, was deemed a qualified expert in ordinance requirements by attorneys on both sides. He answered questions by Township Solicitor Mark Cappuccio.

The proposed quarry -- a longstanding and ongoing issue in the township-- would be at Buhman and W. Mill Hill roads and would include more than 628 acres in the agriculture-rural district.

Schmehl's key points included:

• Trees must be replanted when disturbed, according to the township ordinance.  The applicant has not shown compliance in its plans.
• No more than 20 percent of woodlands in an environmentally sensitive area shall be altered, cleared or built upon.  The applicant’s plans are greater than the 20 percent.
• No more than 20 percent of wetlands shall be altered, regarded or built upon.  The applicant’s plans show greater than the 20 percent.
• Stone crushing can be very noisy.  Trucks going at all hours, especially at night when they beep while backing up, will be very disturbing. The township does not have a noise ordinance. 
• The lack of information about the landfill on the site is of great concern.  Schmehl said the zoners should demand an analysis of what is buried in the landfill.  The threat of a hazard exists because no one knows what's in the site.
• The applicant's plans do not contain enough information on blasting times.
• There are approximately 75 properties within a half-mile of the northeast area of the proposed site.
• The character of the area will change.

Geryville Materials' attorney, Stephen Harris, had few questions regarding Schmehl's testimony. Harris reiterated points he -- Harris -- made in previous testimony with Cappuccio.

The meeting was continued until 7 p.m. on July 27.