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The contentious proposal for a sand mine in Jasper County, South Carolina, took center stage once again on Tuesday night as county officials reconvened for a decisive meeting. The long-debated project reached its critical juncture, requiring a final verdict from the Jasper County Council.
During this decisive third and final reading, council members deliberated over whether to approve the development agreement and zoning change request submitted by J. Heirs, the project’s developer. Approval would propel the 264-acre sand mine project into its next phase.
The meeting drew a significant turnout from the local community, particularly those residing in close proximity to the proposed site. Residents seized this last opportunity to express their concerns and implore the council to reconsider the project.
One resident passionately addressed the council, posing a thought-provoking question: “If they were to put this mine next to your house, next to your family, next to your water table, would you be so quick to say yes?” This heartfelt plea underscored the apprehensions held by many in the community.
The opposition from locals extends beyond the proposed zoning change from rural preservation to commercial resource extraction. Many fear the potential negative impacts on air and water quality, emphasizing that these environmental concerns are at the forefront of their objections.
They also believe traffic will dramatically increase in the currently rural area.
“The proposed mine is likely just the first domino that will completely change the character of the rural, pristine residential area in Grays,” said another resident.
Heirs said he would have a 1,000-foot buffer from neighboring homes, a 300-foot buffer from roads and would not interfere with wetlands on the property.
To help mitigate traffic, Heir’s also looks to improve 500 feet of the roadway outside of the property.
To answer potential health concerns from the public and council members, the developers engineer answered that he doesn’t believe there will be any issues. Heirs will still have to receive permits from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) before operations can start.
Several residents did not find comfort in the developer’s answers, and turned to council, who they’ve pleaded to since the first reading, to say no to the development.
“You have the opportunity to stop this. It’s not too late,” one resident said.
Another neighboring resident added on.
“Gentlemen, you hold in your hands a lot of power over our lives and our futures. Are those hands clean?” they said. “Then do the right thing and just say, no.”
Councilman Gene Ceccarelli gave a statement at the meeting, answering to health concerns, impacts of the mine to nearby residents and his thoughts on the developers plans.
Ceccarelli called out the developer for purchasing land in a residential area, though rural, instead of land designated for industrial use.
“He decided to pick a rural preservation area instead, which bothers me,” he said.
After visits to other local sand mines and further research into their effects, Ciccarelli asked his fellow council to consider being opposed to approval.
“I know of seven children who live in the area of the proposed sand mine and if I could have arranged it, I would have had each one of them standing with their parents right in front of this podium,” he said. “Maybe we can just picture those kids standing there while we cast our votes.”
Councilman Joseph Arzillo followed with his statement regarding the decision.
“All these other concerns are valid,” said Arzillo. “Absolutely valid. But everybody here, you might not like how I’m going with this. For my vote, I will tell you, there’s a strong reason why I have to say this. Sand, dirt is necessary in a community. These roads, these house pads and all require it and that is unfortunate. I wish we didn’t have to see it, but we do.”
Council member Ceccarelli motioned to disapprove of both the development agreement and the land zoning request. None of his constituents seconded his motion.
Motions to move both the development agreement and land zoning request passed 4-1, officially approving the sand mine project.