Politics & Government
DEM Deadline Looms for TLA/Pond View Zoning Decision
As the deadline looms for a decision on TLA/Pond View, an East Providence Zoning Board hearing runs long, and another is to be scheduled.
The controversial TLA/Pond View recycling facility appealed to the East Providence Zoning Board last Thursday, Sept. 15, in an attempt to delay a issued to the company by the city's zoning officer.
Besides zoning board members, the company was greeted by a large group of citizens aligned against the facility, some wearing protest T-shirts and carrying signs.
Taryn Hallweaver of the Toxics Action Center spoke to why and how her organization and the residents of Rumford are combatting what they see as an irresponsible and dangerous industrial neighbor.
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"It's in TLA's favor to delay the Cease and Desist order and to drag out the appeals process," said Hallweaver by telephone after the hearing. Hallweaver pointed to a late October deadline set by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Hallweaver said that with Pond View's financial resources, as part of a national company, it can afford to file appeals, drag out the process, and use the deadline to infringe upon proper decision-making.
The current standoff is the current battle in a larger war between TLA/Pond View, East Providence citizens and the city itself over compliance with city zoning ordinances. A recent in the Rhode Island General Assembly, championed by East Providence Sen. Daniel DaPonte, ties the survival and operations of facilities like Pond View to the specific demands of host municipalities. If thought to be in non-compliance with the city's regulations, a substantial case could made for the shutting down or scaling back Pond View.
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Pond View representatives and Zoning Officer Ed Pimentel could not be reached for comment after the hearing.
According to the Toxic Action Center's press release, last week's hearing ran until 11 pm and prompted the committee to hold another hearing to hear the concerns of as many of the 150 residents who showed up to voice their negative feelings about Pond View, along with the company itself.
The next hearing is scheduled for 6 pm on Thursday, Oct. 13.
