BENSON – A new liquid asphalt storage terminal will be constructed near Benson after winning approval from Johnston County Commissioners. Two of the seven commissioners had to recuse themselves from the vote due to a conflict of interest.
FSC II, LLC will construct the liquid asphalt storage terminal on Raleigh Road, just off Highway 301, adjacent to the railroad tracks. Officials said the product will arrive by rail car, be stored in the terminal, and shipped from the facility by semi trucks. The plant will have on-site storage of bulk asphalt cement in above-ground storage containers, office and laboratory buildings, a maintenance shop, and on-site truck, tractor and trailer parking.
The site is in proximity to an ST Wooten facility and the Martin Marietta rock quarry. During the April 4 public hearing no one spoke in opposition.
Commissioners voted 5-to-0 to rezone 26.8 acres from Agricultural-Residential to Industrial-2 Conditional Zoning.
Commissioner Tony Braswell questioned the applicant wanting permission to operate 24 hours a day 7 days a week, instead of the recommended hours of 7am to 7pm.
A company representative said they only expect 10 to 15 percent of their business to be conducted after normal business hours but needed the flexibility to operate when needed.
Chairman Butch Lawter recused himself from the vote because his employer, WithersRavenel, represented the applicant, FSC II.
Commissioner Fred Smith said he currently had no direct financial interest in the company, FSC II, LLC, although he did in the past. He said his son has interest in the business and to avoid a conflict of interest, Commissioner Smith also requested to be recused from voting.
Commissioners Tony Braswell, Dickie Braswell, Ted Godwin, Patrick Harris, and April Stephens voted for the passage. They also granted a request by FSC II, LLC to operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week as needed.
The board stipulated a berm with vegetation must be installed along the public right of way to reduce noise and dust. Also, lighting must be installed as not to shine on adjacent properties.
Of course, no harm will come with abundant heavy trucking in close proximity to a High School with young drivers. How much thought went into this?
Good job Fred