OVERVIEW OF THE I-270/WESTERVILLE ROAD INDUSTRIAL SITE

Where is this industrial site?

The 270/Westerville Road industrial site is a 109-acre site that sits on the southwest corner at the juncture of 270 and Westerville Road. One can enter the industrial site via Dempsey Road.  This leads one into the mid-section of the site.  The I-270 freeway makes up the northern border of the site, Alum Creek is on the western border, Westerville Road, or, Route 3 is on the eastern border and the southern tip is at Paris Court.

What kind of companies operate at this site?

First, the layout of the industrial site can be thought of as having 3 sections, or quadrants:

  1. the northern section (operates in Columbus)
  2. the mid-section (operates in Blendon Township)
  3. the southern section (operates in Blendon Township)

 

The NORTHERN SECTION includes:

  • The Scioto Materials large asphalt production plant
    Co-owned by Kokosing Materials and Shelly Materials
    A large 600,000 tons a year production plant
  • A portable recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) portable crushing plant
    Owner unknown
  • Anderson Concrete
    Production amounts unknown
  • One section of the Kurtz Bros Class IV Yard Waste Facility
    Compost production amounts unknown

 

The MID-SECTION includes:

  • The Metro Materials large reclaimed concrete crushing plant
    A 3 million ton a year crushing plant
  • Sarasota Transport’s portable pugmill(s)—concrete related plants
    Sometimes operating at this site
    Production amounts unknown
  • A second section of the Kurtz Bros Class IV Yard Waste Facility
    Unknown compost production amounts

 

The SOURTHERN SECTION includes:

  • Top Cat Concrete
    500,000-ton year production plant
  • A third section of the Kurtz Bros’ Class IV Yard Waste Facility
    Compost production amounts unknown

 

The Westerville Road Area (redevelopment) Plan:

This plan was created in 2015 by Blendon Township and Westerville, and is an exciting “new” vision of what this industrial site, and the area of Westerville Road near it, could be.  You can view this plan on the CPW homepage, and sign your name in support of this 270/Westerville Road industrial site transformation.  Our goal is to collect tens of thousands of signatures in support of this very important plan for our community.

 

Brief general history of the industrial site—

When did each company “set up shop” here?

Most of the companies presently operating at this site were opened in the mid to late 90s, and early 2000.  Some industrial activity was happening at the site before the present facilities were there, but the industrial activity was nowhere close to the industrial levels the site is at today.  The aerial history section in our “Public Archive” is a good source to learn how the industrial development has grown throughout the years at this site.  It seems that historically much of the industry was in the northern section of the site.  In the 1970s, part of the industrial site was a beautiful spot that housed the picturesque Glengary public pool.

 

  1. Scioto Materials Asphalt Plant

6187 and 6189 Westerville Road (actually on Emrick Rd) 

Kokosing is the mother Co. to Kokosing Materials, co-owner of the asphalt plant (Shelly Materials is the other owner).  In 1999 Kokosing sought, and received a zoning variance from the Columbus City Council to set up a temporary plant.  Kokosing successfully got their parcels rezoned to allow for the present permanent plant in 2001.  Kokosing owns the property in this northern section of the site.  The Marble Cliff Quarries Company also operated here, we think in the 1980s.

 

  1. The Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) Crushing Plant

This plant crushes recycled asphalt at the site for the asphalt plant.  CPW does not know when this plant first started operating, or what company owns and operates it.  The Ohio EPA has said Scioto Materials contracts with a Co. to bring in this portable plant.  The Ohio EPA initially denied CPW claims that a RAP crushing plant was operating here, but eventually agreed that a crushing plant does indeed crush here.

  1. Anderson Concrete plant

6105 and 6101 Westerville Road (Just south of asphalt plant)

Anderson successfully got their parcel(s) rezoned from rural to Limited Manufacturing in 1995.  Their building permit shows they filed to pour the foundation for what they call their “portable ready- mix concrete plant” in 2002.  Note: Anderson also operated a second plant at this property from (?) to around 2013.  Documents also show that Anderson was operating a plant possibly in 1989. A company by the name of Arrow Concrete seems to have been operating a plant here back in 1976.  This section of the industrial site is owned by Columbus Bituminous and Anderson.

  1. Metro Materials Reclaimed Concrete Crushing Plant

6055 Westerville Road (Just south of Anderson Concrete)

Note: Some documents have the address listed as 6057 Westerville Road

Metro Materials filed for an air permit with the Ohio EPA in 1998.  We believe the large production concrete crushing plant started shortly thereafter.  The parcel is approximately 23 acres.  The owner of the property is Mac-Dean Enterprises and Metro Materials is the tenant.  Kurtz Bros is the tenant on the east side of the parcel.

It appears that a Certificate of Zoning Compliance (CZC) was filed in 1996 for a tenant by the name of “Wapak Sand and Gravel Agg Rok Materials Division,” to install an asphalt plant, office trailers, parts storage shed, equipment laydown yard, storage of asphalt concrete for recycling, storage of aggregate.  In 1998 a Certificate of Zoning Compliance was filed for a tenant by the name of “Northwood Stone and Asphalt Co.”  Proposed use: for manufacturing of construction materials (ie: asphaltic concrete products).  A different Certificate of Zoning Compliance filed in 1998 for owners of parcel, Mac-dean Enterprises, and for Leaser/Tenant, “Metro Materials.”  This was JUST for 3.6 acres seemingly where Kurtz nursery now operates.  Proposed use? Outside storage and wholesale of construction materials (aggregate) and outside storage and wholesale of gardening and landscaping materials (topsoil and mulch).

 

  1. Sarasota Transport Portable Concrete Related Pugmill(s)

6055B Westerville Road (Operates next to Alum Creek behind Metro Materials)  

Sarasota transport is seemingly a sister company to Metro Materials.  It has portable plant(s) that are sometimes operating here and sometimes not.  Sarasota secured an air permit from the OEPA in 2008, and then secured another air permit for another plant in 2014.

  1. Top Cat Concrete

3296 Paris Court

CPW does not yet know when Top Cat first set up shop at this site, but will post this information when it is secured.  Top Cat has a 10-acre plot.  A Certificate of Zoning Compliance was filed by someone in 1992, but it does not say for Top Cat.  This CZC says the parcel was “currently vacant land used as a storage yard for construction materials and construction waste materials.”  Proposed use in the CZC is to use existing structures as current user (office, storage, maintenance) as permitted under zoning, and to add a ultra-modern ready-mix concrete batch plant as permitted under General Industrial zoning classification.

  1. Kurtz Bros Tree Nursery and Class IV Yard Waste Composting Facility

6055 Westerville Road

Kurtz Bros registered with the Ohio EPA, for their class IV yard waste composting facility, in 2001, BUT then, in June 2003, Kurtz requested termination as a registered composting facility.  After this, apparently, they were just operating here as a collection point, ie: yard waste would be dropped off here, but then transferred to the Groveport facility for composting.  In 2011, they re-filed for a class IV registration, and seemingly started the large composting operation here.  Note: This doesn’t mean composting was not happening at this site from 2003 to 2011, it just means they did not have a registration to do so.

 

  1. Kurtz’ Portable Grinding Plant

What is near this industrial site?

This industrial site is surrounded by residential and commercial properties. The Vineyard Church is immediately across the creek from this industrial site, complete with its school, soccer fields, etc.  Across the creek, a mere ~325 feet from the asphalt plant’s property, are condos.  Apartments are immediately across Cooper Road from this site.  Glengary shopping center is across the street from this site, complete with a daycare, our new Aldis, etc.  Countless businesses operate in proximity of this site, including restaurants where patrons dine outside.  Several schools and retirement centers are in proximity of the industrial site as well.

Vineyard church members have expressed concerns about this industrial site, as have condo residents, Huber Ridge Elementary teachers, Otterbein University students, residents of Blendon Township and Westerville, business owners, etc.

What neighborhoods are nearby?

The industrial site has grown up around established neighborhoods.  Columbus residents live just west of the site, and just across Alum Creek.  Minerva Park residents are to its south.  Blendon Township/Huber Ridge residents reside east of the industrial site.  And Westerville residents live north of the site.  This is a residential and commercial area.

Are there any water sources (creeks, drinking water sources, etc.) that could potentially be impacted by this industrial site?

The industrial site operates adjacent to Alum Creek.  A tributary that feeds into Alum Creek cuts from east to west down the middle of the property (between the asphalt plant and Anderson Concrete).  The industrial site also operates atop the Source Water Protection Area for the Huber Ridge public drinking water supply.  The public water wells are approximately a quarter of a mile downgrade or downstream from the site.  Alum Creek water is used by at least one of the companies to irrigate.

 

What air contaminants are being emitted into the air from this industrial site and in what amounts? 

No one knows, definitively, the cumulative amount, nor the chemical make-up of all of air contaminants coming from this industrial site.  To our knowledge, no agency has ever conducted a comprehensive scientific air study. We do know that tons upon tons of “allowable” chemical/particulate emissions are listed in the air permits of the companies operating here.

We do know the asphalt plant emissions are measured only ONCE every five years.  This is a required stack test.  The following 5 chemical contaminants (or class of contaminants) are measured on test day at the asphalt plant.  Please note, however, that there are also many fugitive emissions (emissions that don’t pass through a stack or vent, etc.) happening at the asphalt plant, and at other plants at the site. Again, these are not scientifically measured and assed.

The asphalt stack emissions are:

  • Volatile Organic Compounds (50.6 pounds an hour being emitted as of 2015 stack test)
  • Nitrogen Oxide (10.4 pounds an hour as of 2015 stack test)
  • Sulfur Dioxide (31.7 pounds an hour as of 2015 stack test)
  • Carbon Monoxide (26.3 pounds an hour as of 2015 stack test)
  • Particulate Matter (CPW has not been able to determine)

This does not mean that these are the only chemicals emitted from the stack during asphalt production (see list below), it just means the above are the only chemicals/class of chemicals that are “regulated” or measured once every five years.

It is important, we think, to also note that one of the mother companies to Scioto Materials (Shelly) has conducted these very important stack tests in the past, and NOT the Ohio EPA.  An OEPA representative is most likely present for some, or, maybe all of the test, BUT to our knowledge, this OEPA presence is not legally required.

The most recent stack test was conducted in September of 2020.  We believe the OEPA representative attended via zoom. NOTE:  For some reason, during this 2020 stack test, the OEPA did NOT require the Co. to test for VOC emissions, OR, sulfur dioxide emissions.  We are trying to find out why VOC and Sulfur Dioxide measurements are no longer required.  It is possible that a regulatory law has changed.

The U.S. EPA came out with a report in 2000 that listed the following chemicals related to asphalt production (some of the chemicals below fall under the VOCs measured once every five years):

VOLATILE HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS

  • Isooctane
  • Hexane
  • Benzene
  • Bromomethane
  • 2-Butanone
  • Carbon disulfide
  • Chloroethane
  • Chloromethane
  • Cumene
  • Ethylbenzene
  • Formaldehyde
  • n-Hexane
  • Isooctane
  • Methylene chloride
  • Methyl tert-butyl ether
  • Methyl chloroform
  • Styrene
  • Tetrachloroethene
  • Toluene
  • 1,1,1-Trichloroethane
  • Trichloroethene
  • Trichlorofluoromethane
  • m-/p-Xylene
  • 0-Xylene
  • Xylene

 

SEMI-VOLATILE HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS

  • 2-Methylnaphthalene
  • Acenaphthene
  • Acenaphthylene
  • Anthracene
  • Benzo(a)anthracene
  • Benzo(a)pyrene
  • Benzo(b)fluoranthene
  • Benzo(e)pyrene
  • Benzo(g,h,i)perylene
  • Benzo(k) fluoranthene
  • Chrysene
  • Fluoranthene
  • Fluorene
  • Indeno (1,2,3-cd) pyrene
  • Napthalene
  • Perylene
  • Phenanthrene
  • Pyrene
  • Phenol

 

METAL HAZARDOUS AIR POLLUTANTS

  • Lead
  • Mercury
  • Antimony
  • Arsenic
  • Beryllium
  • Cadmium
  • Chromium
  • Manganese
  • Nickel
  • Selenium

 

What are some other possible air contaminants coming from this site?

Citizen Pollution Watch would like an agency to determine if silica, a lung carcinogen, poly-aromatic hydrocarbons, heavy metals, etc. are being emitted from the storage and processing (crushing) of the recycled asphalt, and reclaimed concrete, at the site, AND at what levels.  Is there ever asbestos, slag, fly ash, etc. in the concrete that is getting crushed? How thoroughly is the reclaimed concrete inspected when it is dropped off at the site?  Also, what bioaerosols might be coming from the large yard waste composting facility, ie: molds, endo-toxins, fungi spores, etc., and at what levels? What levels of ammonia are coming from these compost piles, etc.?

What possible water contaminants are there, AND how much is being emitted from this site?

The many companies/plants operating at the site produce products that create pollutants.  Again, because there has never, to our knowledge, been a comprehensive scientific chemical water study at this site, we do not know what chemical contaminants might be discharging via storm water runoff, via leaching, etc. and going into the tributary, Alum Creek, the ground/groundwater, etc.

No DIRECT discharge of contaminants is allowed at this site (companies here do not have the kind of OEPA permit to allow for direct discharge into the creek). Instead, the companies are all required to secure a different kind of Ohio EPA water permit known as a Storm Water Permit.  This permit requires each company, among other things, to draft a Storm Water Pollution Protection Plans (SWPPP or SWP3) in order to help reduce/prevent contaminants from comingling with the storm water.  This pollution plan requires them to conduct, among other things, visual assessments of discharges, and Total Suspended Solids assessments.

Recent violations revealed that some of the plants operating here (operating since the late 90s/early 2000) had, either, never secured a required water permit, conducted the legally required water testing, failed to create their Storm Water Protection Pollution Plan, etc., or, all of the above.  Other water violations uncovered by CPW involve illegal discharges of concrete washout, which is said to contain toxic metals.  Toxic metals can contaminate surface water, and ground water.  Some water violations included concrete dye going into the tributary, etc.  There was also an underground diesel storage tank leak in the southern section of the site in 1991 that predated Top Cat Concrete, and that was remediated back then.

 

Citizen Complaints (Odors, Dust, Noise, truck traffic, etc.)

CPW has collected hundreds of testimonials/complaints from Westerville, Blendon Township and Columbus citizens who are living in a three-mile radius of the industrial site.  CPW has sent these to the appropriate regulatory agencies.

 

Citizens complain of four primary issues:

  • Various odors
  • Large amounts of dust (particulate matter)
  • Industrial noise
  • Industrial truck traffic to and from the site 

Citizens allege that these odors, dust and noise are coming from this industrial site—They are described as the following:

  • chemical odor(s) allegedly from asphalt production
  • cherry-like odor allegedly from the odor control product used by asphalt plant
  • detergent smell (source unidentified but citizens concerned it is coming from this industrial site)
  • putrid odors allegedly coming from the compost facility
  • fire/ash odors allegedly coming from fires that can spontaneously combust in the compost piles
  • industrial noise from various industrial activity (sometimes at all hours of the night)
  • on-going “dust” or particulates coming from the site
  • endless truck traffic to and from the site

 

Along with these complaints are descriptions of physical, mental, quality of life AND financial consequences:

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Burning noses, throats and chests
  • Nausea
  • Body weakness
  • Loss of sleep
  • Increased stress and depression
  • Not opening windows, walking or sitting outside, etc. due to odors
  • Keeping children inside for fear of the odors/contaminants
  • Property constantly being covered with soot-like dust
  • Not shopping in Westerville due to odors; Removing children from Westerville
  • school due to odors, etc.
  • – etc.

 

What agencies regulate this industrial site?

In reality, the main regulator of the industrial site are the companies themselves.  For the most part, they assess their own storm water discharges, air emissions, etc., and file quarterly or yearly reports with the Ohio EPA, etc.  On paper, the main regulatory agency is the Ohio EPA.  Other regulators include the U.S. EPA, the Cols and Franklin County Health Departments, Columbus Zoning, Blendon Township zoning, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Bureau of Underground Storage Regulation, etc.

 

CPW And Just Some of our Concerns

  • How is the industrial site impacting our health and the health of our children?
  • How are other at-risk groups (elderly, pregnant women, the sick) being impacted?
  • How is it impacting our property values and the marketability of Westerville, Blendon Township, Cooper Road condos, etc.?
  • How is it impacting the businesses that operate near this site?
  • How might the industrial site impact Alum Creek and the Huber Ridge water supply?
  • How do the VOCs and Nitrogen oxide emitted from the asphalt plant impact our local ozone levels?  Franklin County recently received an F rating in the 2019 American Lung Association’s State of the Air Report for ozone.  VOCs plus nitrogen oxide plus sunlight create ozone.

How Can I Help on This Issue?

  1. Become a CPW (free) member
  2. File your citizen pollution complaints on-line on our homepage
  3. Sign your name in support of the Westerville Road Area (redevelopment) Plan
  4. Collect signatures in support of the Westerville Road Area (redevelopment) Plan
  5. Spread the word about our CPW and our efforts
  6. Visit the CPW Educational Booth at the Westerville 4th Friday