Jan Smolinski said the “decision renewed my faith in city government.”
Had the rezoning request been approved, Smolinksi’s home on West Enon Road would have been 250 feet — the equivalent of one city block — from a blast site.
The request, which dealt with about 448 acres in Xenia Township and 154 acres in Bath Township, was recommended for approval by city staff.
Fairborn City Manager Deb McDonnell said the planning board did not, however, feel that it had enough information to responsibly answer residents’ safety concerns during a public hearing held this month.
Cemex has the option of filing an appeal, refiling with the planning board in six months or asking city council to overturn the decision.
“We realize it’s a temporary victory and that we will have to continue to fight this battle,” said Pete Waltz, who moved into a “dream house” on West Hyde Road six years ago. “But this is one more victory for the people against a giant corporation, and we’re very happy to stave them off as long as we can.”
Cemex previously sought rezoning through Xenia Twp. and was rejected twice, once in 2011 and then again in 2014. The company then pursued the annexation and rezoning of land through the city of Fairborn.
McDonnell has said land acquired through an economic partnership with Cemex would allow mined land to be used for growth and development in Fairborn. Rezoning would also create additional tax revenue for the city.
But what the city manager believes to be good for the city is not good for its neighbors, said Steve Gray of West Enon Road.
“We’ve invested a lot into this area, but having that operation across the street will drive the value of our homes down,” Gray said.
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