Roseville finally puts asphalt plant debate to rest

It's over. The great Roseville asphalt plant debate of 2009 and 2010 has come to a close.

In two-and-a-half-hour special meeting Monday night, the Roseville City Council voted unanimously to reject a conditional use permit for outdoor storage, submitted by a company hoping to build an asphalt plant.

Bituminous Roadways' proposed asphalt plant won't be happening. Neighbors and nearby businesses who waged a 20-month campaign against the proposal can breathe easier. Air quality and health concerns were among the numerous issues raised in letters, e-mails and oral comments to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the City Council.

The council halted its process in considering the permit application last May when a local citizens group petitioned the MPCA for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet, which was completed in July.

The MPCA was expected to release the final results and findings in November but halted its work in October after Roseville amended its city ordinances to bar asphalt plants as an approved industrial land use.

Bituminous Roadways requested the City Council approve or deny the permit application based on the 2009 ordinances.

"I was very pleased with how the neighbors presented their case," said Dan Roe, council member and mayor-elect. "It really helped contribute positively to the outcome that we ultimately came to."

"That location was something that we were really looking forward to," said Kent Peterson, president of Bituminous Roadways. "So that was obviously a disappointment for us."

"Nothing to do with asphalt plants," said Patrick Trudgeon, community development director. His department will continue to update the city zoning code.

Trudgeon said the city remains committed to working with future potential buyers of the 14-acre lot in the southeast corner of the intersection of Terminal Drive and Walnut Street.

For now, Bituminous Roadways will accept the council's decision, Peterson said. The company will continue to "consider whether there's any opportunities or options that might provide a positive outcome," he said. "But it could be that we're done."

Bituminous Roadways continues to search for a new site to add a fourth plant to its asphalt production, but Peterson said there's no specific site in mind.

EMMA L. CAREW