Scott Fruehauf, owner of Lynchburg Stone, LLC, spoke at the March meeting of the Metro Council regarding his plans to re-open the old quarry on Highway 50. Though Fruehauf is only seeking a zoning change from A-1 to I-2 at this point, he provided the council members with an operation narrative outlining expected business practices.

Initially, the plan is to provide a reliable and cost effective source of crushed rock for local projects for the Lee Adcock Construction Company. At that capacity, the quarry would provide materials on an as needed basis, and would not be operating on a full time basis. If warranted, however, the company would scale up operations in the future to meet demand.

While providing the community with information regarding the benefits to the county, Fruehauf points out that locally sourced materials can help reduce both costs and lead time with building projects. There will be employment opportunities, and more tax revenues for the county. Local ownership will benefit the community as the ownership has a direct stake in the community’s wellbeing.

Fruehauf also wants to demonstrate the company’s high standards for ensuring that the company will meet or exceed all environmental and operating regulations. The company has hired Pugh Wright McAnally, a civil engineering firm from Decatur with experience in working with similar operations, to help develop and ensure compliance.

Pitts Branch runs through the property, and Fruehauf has listed steps that will be taken to protect the creek from stormwater runoff and sediment contamination. TDEC will be involved in establishing buffer zones and managing regulations before issuing required permits. Coordination with TDEC will be ongoing. The quarry is at a lower elevation than the creek, and the access road is at a higher elevation than the quarry floor, ensuring that stormwater runoff should not leave the operation site without going through established treatment and discharge systems.

The company has plans to mitigate dust in the area as well. There is a solar powered pump on site, which will be used to fill a 2,000 gallon holding tank. That water will be used for misting, washing roads, and washing stone. The water will be appropriately treated before being discharged. Established vegetation around the site will help mitigate wind exposure.

Seismographs will be installed and monitored during blasting, and operations will cease should vibrations be above accepted limits. Fruehauf has stated that he would provide seismographs to any neighboring landowners that wish to monitor vibrations on their own properties. The blasting will be done by a third party, and Fruehauf assured the council that they were insured and bonded. Any damage done by blasting would be repaired.

Fruehauf provided a preliminary site plan to the Planning and Zoning Commission at their March Meeting, and requested a zoning change at that meeting. The commission referred him to the Metro Council. After discussion, council members agreed that the preferred approach would be to leave the property zoned A-1, though the company will be paying industrial tax rates. This is much the same as the agreement with the solar farm. The council then sent the matter back to Planning and Zoning.