A re-zoning request that the county commission rejected in August of last year was rejected a second time at Monday’s regular commission meeting.
At the August 7, 2024, county commission meeting, commissioners heard a request from CT Realty Investment Group (a subsidiary of the Scruggs Company) to re-zone 142.1 acres at 450 Chaney Road from AG, Agriculture to HI, Warehouse Heavy Industrial for the purpose of building an asphalt plant on the property. Several citizens who live on Chaney Road voiced opposition to the request and the commission unanimously rejected the plant.
Last month, developers brought the request back to the commission but with some changes. This time, developers had reduced the acreage from 142.1 to 50 and they made some other changes to the footprint of the plant in order to make it more accommodating to nearby residents. The Planning Commission had voted to approve the request on October 27, 2025, but county staff recommended that the commission reject the item again.
Reese Akins, President of the Scruggs Company, addressed the commission and outlined a few of the changes the company has made regarding the project, including reducing the acreage of the request, putting a buffer between the plant and neighboring property, and changing the direction in which the plant would utilize rail cars to keep blocking Chaney Road to a minimum. Akins added that the facility would employ as many as 50 people within a few years.
After Akins spoke, Dr. Greg Tanner addressed the commission. Dr. Tanner spoke against the request in 2024 and his stance has not changed. In his remarks at Monday’s meeting, he addressed something that he didn’t mention a year and a half ago. He expressed concerns about the potential effects of air pollution from the plant. Specifically, he recalled his mother-in-law’s struggles with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, a genetic condition that prevents the body from producing the alpha-1 antitrypsin protein, which protects the lungs and liver. The absence of the protein makes those who have the condition much more susceptible to things like air pollution and can result in emphysema, cirrhosis of the liver, and other such ailments. Alpha-1 caused his mother-in-law tremendous suffering, he said, and he was concerned that having an asphalt plant in the area close to his family could prove deadly if other members of the Chaney family developed the deficiency. “Please prioritize the health of those are most vulnerable and reconsider the location of the proposed asphalt plant. Some studies show that air pollution levels from asphalt plants are acceptable. But for certain conditions, such as for those who carry this gene, it could be a significant influence on the longevity of live,” he said.
Two other people addressed the commission – Bob Chaney (against) and Chamber of Commerce CEO Matt Seale (in favor) – before commissioners voted. When Chairman Johnny Wayne Jowers called for the vote, Commissioner Ted O’Steen made a motion to reject the request. Commissioner George McIver seconded and commissioners unanimously voted to reject the request.
Commissioners also approved the following re-zoning requests:
- Jeremy Dorminey for 14.29 acres at 271 Thompson Drive from AG, Agriculture to C, Commercial;
- Charles Griffis for 1.82 acres at 1187 Squire Road in Ambrose from AG, Agriculture to C, Commercial; and
- Bobby Guthrie for 5.05 acres at 1361 Quincey Batten Loop from R2, Residential to AG, Agriculture.
Commissioners also approved the following subdivision requests:
- Thomas E. Butts for seven acres at 435 Deer Run Road in Nicholls; and
- Memphis Enterprises LLC for 25 acres on Timberwolf Trail in Nicholls.
More re-zoning requests will be on next month’s agenda. The commission heard the first reading for the following requests, all from Carlton Dorminey:
- 23.01 acres at 4252 Highway 32 West from R1, Residential to W-LI, Warehouse Light Industrial, for the purpose of building a plant to manufacture cargo trailer components. Neither county staff nor the Planning Commission agree with the request;
- 10 acres at 3572 Highway 32 West from R1, Residential to C, Commercial – staff and Planning Commission approve; and
- 10 acres at 3916 Highway 32 West from R1, Residential to C, Commercial – staff and Planning Commission approve.
