By Bailey Coyle, FOX23.com News Staff
OWASSO, Okla. — Residents near Owasso say they are preparing for another round of hearings and legal proceedings as they continue fighting multiple proposed quarry expansions they believe could negatively impact nearby neighborhoods, schools and senior living communities.
On Thursday morning, residents are expected to gather at the Tulsa County Courthouse for a hearing connected to a proposed expansion involving Greenhill Industries.
The hearing centers around a motion to intervene filed by nearby residents who want a formal voice in the ongoing legal case after the Tulsa County Board of Adjustment previously denied Greenhill’s request to expand mining operations into an area zoned agricultural near existing neighborhoods.
Residents say they are also concerned about another proposed quarry project involving Anchor Stone Company near 66th Street North and 129th East Avenue.
Earlier this month, community members attended an informal conference hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Mines regarding Anchor Stone’s permit application.
Residents argue the projects could bring increased blasting, truck traffic, structural vibrations, limestone dust and declining property values to surrounding neighborhoods.
“My parents are 97 and 98 and live southwest of the proposed mining,” resident Marshelia Prior said. “My big concern is protecting the value of their property, because this will decimate their property values.”
Prior said residents organized after learning about proposed expansions near existing neighborhoods and say they are now pushing for more transparency throughout the permitting and zoning process.
“If all of these get approved, there’s gonna be six active quarries right around this neighborhood within one mile of 600 homes,” Prior said.
Another resident and neighborhood advocate, Pamela Kirk, said concerns grew after residents began noticing blasting activity from nearby quarry operations.
“We began hearing some blasts and went, ‘Boom, I wonder what that is,’” Kirk said. “Then we started researching the effects the blasting and limestone dust could have on homes and public health.”
Kirk said residents are especially concerned because proposed mining areas are near homes, churches, schools and senior living communities.
“We have a church and a private school, K-through-12 within 300 feet,” Kirk said. “Children and elderly people are the most vulnerable.”
Residents also claim the proposed mining projects conflict with long-standing land use plans adopted by Tulsa County and the City of Owasso that designated the area for residential growth.
“The city of Owasso committed to its citizens that this area would be residential,” Kirk said. “Why should a corporation be allowed to violate that?”
Community members say they are hoping Thursday’s court hearing will allow residents to formally participate in the Greenhill case as it moves through district court.
“It’s important for people to speak out,” Kirk said. “If we don’t show up and speak up, nothing changes.”
FOX23 reached out to both Greenhill Industries and Anchor Stone Company for comment ahead of Thursday’s hearing, but had not received responses as of publication time.
The Oklahoma Department of Mines is currently reviewing information submitted during the May 15 informal conference before determining next steps in the Anchor Stone permit process.
