There was a large turnout for this meeting.  I'd judge approximately 75 people were in attendance.  Mr. Frank Chaney & Ms. Audrey Scott of Chaney Enterprises led the meeting.  Ultimately, Chaney is making this request for rezoning as an insurance policy to move his headquarters and gravel washing here to Hughesville in the event that 1.  the county goes ahead with its plans to extend Post Office Road to Acton Lane in the next 5 to 10 years, which runs through his current headquarters; and 2.  they do not receive a special exception on one of their other properties to permit gravel washing.  He stated, repeatedly, that the likelihood of moving his headquarters to Hughesville was only about a 20% chance.

A couple questions were asked that I do not feel were adequately answered and, to me, are the most important.  They are:

1.  Why request rezoning for the entire 149 acres, when, in fact, only 16 acres would be required?  Something was said about acquiring right-of-ways, etc.  The answer did not make sense to me.

2.  Why request this rezoning in Hughesville, when, in 6 months to 1 year, Chaney Enterprises will know if they will receive a special exception on one of their other, better-suited, properties?  This question was asked several times, but, never really answered.  The last comment by Mr. Chaney in response to that question was that he was not the only owner of Chaney Enterprises...

Mr. Chaney also mentioned other hopes, in addition to moving his headquarters here, that he has for the property.  One would be some type of CSM satellite, perhaps specializing in trades, such as, construction.  The other vision would be some type of charitable organization or foundation.

Mr. Chaney also stated that if his headquarters were to move here, that 10% of his profits generated here would be donated to the revitalization of Hughesville.  My feeling is that the 10% of the profit is nothing compared to the negative affect this rezoning will cause to the Hughesville Revitalization Plan.  IMHO, 1.  Peripheral development will not help to achieve the revitalization goal; 2.  Heavy Industrial Zoning will not help to achieve the goal; and 3.  The domino affect of this rezoning will destroy the plan.

A couple of residents consulted a zoning attorney.  This attorney confirmed the domino affect that we fear.  He also confirmed the fact that any convenants drawn up by Chaney for the property would have to be honored by anyone this property would be sold to in the future.

Also, Mr. Chaney explained the gravel washing procedure somewhat in regard to water usage.  A pond or two will be "created" from ground water and the water will be recycled.  Approximately 10% is lost to evaporation (I didn't catch the time period in which the evaporation occurs) at which time they would have to replenish with ground water.

Frank Chaney's estimation on the number of trips trucks would make in and out of the site to be 100 a day.  If they plan to use the round-abouts - they won't hold up to that kind of punishment from the trucks.  It is a 24 hour a day operation, however, Mr. Chaney assured us it usually only occurs in the summer months.  Otherwise, operation is approximately 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

My take on the overall consensus of those in attendance was this is not the right step to take for Hughesville's future and we, as a group, would rally behind Chaney in achieving a special exception for gravel washing at one of their other properties, especially on Billingsley Road.  It is the most logical place for such an operation - surrounded by other industrial zoned properties, such as the landfill.

If anyone has anything to add to my recap, feel I have mistated any of the information, or have questions they would like answered, please comment.  If you would like more information on this subject or would like to unite to oppose this rezoning, please refer to Preserve Hughesville - A Community Advocacy Group.