DENIED!

Zoning Board Denies Rock Quarry In Castalian Springs

News Channel 5

By Chris Cannon

July 14, 2011

Click here for video

SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. - A group of concerned homeowners in Castalian Springs won a big a victory on Thursday night. After a nearly three hour meeting, the board of zoning appeals voted to deny a request to allow a company to build a rock quarry. 

It was standing room only as hundreds of people, wearing red, came out to make it clear they don't want the rock quarry in their backyards.

"We're all thrilled, but we understand that's probably just the first round. They'll probably appeal it but we had a good turnout, a good legal presentation, and our citizens out there came through," said opposition organizer Tom Neal.

Opponents said a rock quarry in this part of Sumner County would destroy an historic area and the quality of life in Castalian Springs.

Attorneys for the developer, Hoover Incorporated, contended the law states a quarry can go here and they now plan to take their fight to a judge.

"We are disappointed because we feel the board didn't follow the law. But from the outset, everybody pretty well realized that this matter that was going to find its way into the judicial system," said attorney Tom White.

Sumner County's executive Anthony Holt said he's ready for that court battle.

"That doesn't scare me. We'll be prepared and we'll defend the county's position, because I do feel that it was the right position to take," Anthony Holt said.

Tom White said he is not sure if he'll take his case to chancery court, or circuit court -- but he made it clear the next stop for this issue is a courtroom.

In addition to the rock quarry, the developer also want to locate an asphalt plant and cement plant on that property.

Are Pieces Of Tennessee History On Shaky Ground?

Full story here.

News Channel 5

By Adam Ghassemi

July 6, 2011

CASTALIAN SPRINGS, Tenn. – At the Wynnewood there is no questioning history. Site Director Rick Hendrix watches as crews fix the last hurdle, tornado damage from 2008.

"Now we're faced with something that there's no recuperating from," Hendrix said.

What he calls a "nightmare" could be moving less than a mile away. A quarry with blasts some worry could pose a major problem

"You could physically take the rocks off one at a time," said Brad Olds about the Wynnewood's chimney that's built with nearly 200 year old lime based mortar. "When this place shakes that's going to move because there is no adhesion between the stones," Olds said.

Olds works for Wieck Construction and has 25 years of experience restoring historic buildings. He predicts the Wynnewood would be heavily damaged and other structures even more so.

"The brick house at Hawthorne Hill will probably collapse," Olds said.

Rock Quarry Worries People in Castalian Springs

By Adam Ghassemi

News Channel 5

[Click here to watch the video.]

A new neighbor moving into a historical mid-state community is upsetting the people who live there. Hundreds of acres in Castalian Springs, just outside Gallatin, could become a rock quarry.

MTSU Anthropology Professor Kevin Smith spent Tuesday working with students to excavate the Castalian Springs Mound that dates back to the 13th century.

"This was basically the capital, the Gallatin of its day," Smith said.

Tuesday the group found a piece of sword believed to once be used by Native American Chiefs. Smith believes it's only one of a few dozen in existence. "It's a major find. It tells us this was a really major, important building that we're working on," he said.

Not far from their dig, people are upset about something else that could soon be unearthed.

"It's a tragedy," said retired resident Tom Neal who worries a rock quarry will ruin this small community. "If you picked a place on any map in Tennessee and threw a dart, you couldn't hit a worse place than Castalian Springs, Tennessee," Neal said.

That's because of the area's strong ties to history.

In one direction the Wynnewood gives visitors a look into a stagecoach inn once meant for travelers between Knoxville and Nashville. In the opposite direction, Hawthorne Hill is the birthplace of a confederate Major General. In between, on Old Highway 25, a grassy field could become the home to the quarry.

That's not sitting well with local historian, John Garrett.

"The dream that I've had for the last 30 odd years is to have this be a historical site. This whole area here, and this will just destroy it. That's all there is to it," Garrett said.

People aren't only upset about what the site could be, but the way it was purchased. Hoover, Inc. formed Western Farm Products, LLC to disguise their land purchase. People thought it was going to be a farm. The company's attorney, Tom White, said by phone it's common for major companies to acquire land this way to ensure they get a competitive price.

White also said they're aware of the historical significance of Castalian Spring, but they've researched the property and do not believe they'll disrupt any historical sites.

Many people here hope if the quarry does come, it won't disturb what the community is known for.

"I'm not opposed to quarrying necessarily, but putting it so close to this giant concentration of historic sites really is going to detract for the long term," Smith said.

Hoover, Inc. is hosting a town hall meeting Thursday night to explain the process to residents.

Hoover, Inc. Public Meeting
6 p.m. – Thursday, June 30, 2011
Sumner County Administration Building
355 N. Belvedere Drive

Next month the Sumner County Board of Zoning Appeals will decide if they get a permit to operate the quarry.

County Board of Zoning Appeals
6 p.m. – Thursday, July 14, 2011
Sumner County Administration Building
355 N. Belvedere Drive