Asphalt plant nearing Ojai
By Jesse Phelps

A pioneer city on the leading edge of the recycling movement two decades ago, Ojai may be about to experience the flip side of reuse. A proposed asphalt recycling plant may soon occupy county land just south of Casitas Springs, potentially threatening the valley with new air quality problems.

In an application filed with county planners on Jan. 16, A.J. Diani Construction Co., Inc. proposed the installation of a portable stand-alone asphaltic concrete plant and asphalt recycling facility on an existing industrial parcel in the North Ventura Avenue area.

The proposed project would be located immediately southeast of State Route 33, between Shell Road and Stanley Road, at 2951 N. Ventura Ave. The parcel is currently occupied by OST Trucks & Cranes.

Diani proposes to operate two 10-hour shifts per day, between 6 a.m. and 4 p.m., and between 7 p.m. and 5 a.m., Monday through Saturday. The project would operate 303 days per year.

Though traffic impacts on the highway could potentially be major, planners said the idea behind the trucking schedules was to avoid an increase in rush hour traffic. The average number of trucks per day, according to a project plan submitted to county planners, would be 106, though the "peak daily" number could reach as high as 672. Truck traffic will normally occur in two eight-hour shifts, between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. and between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.

According to county planners, only one truck would head northbound through Ojai on a daily basis. This truck, bound for the Ozena federal fire station post near the Kern County line, would travel the length of Highway 33 past Nordhoff and up and over the hill through Matilija Canyon.
To this point, a traffic impact study has not been done, though it has been requested by Steve Offerman, of Supervisor Steve Bennett's office.

The bigger concern for local residents, however, is the potential impacts on the air quality in the Ojai Valley. Said city council member David Bury, "I would have a number of concerns about a project of that nature assoc iated with traffic, a fundamental consideration for Ojai as a closed valley that draws the air from the lower Ventura River basin. There's no question that the air pollution will come straight into the valley."

Air quality would be impacted by at least two aspects of the operation, said Bury. First is the delivery or truck traffic associated with any such project and second, emissions from the actual operation, including hazardous particulate matter. "This is a heavy industrial use in an area that's effectively the lungs of our valley," he said.

Bury expressed his surprise at hearing about the project at this stage in the proposal. "To even consider such extensive use is inconceivable," he said. "Someone failed to do his homework. I can't believe they're so naïve to propose this kind of use in this area. They just don't realize the kind of battle they would be in for if they pursue this proposal."

Though plans are for a partially enclosed facility, Bury says, "You can't contain the traffic associated with that. Any project of this size includes a huge building, another area of concern. This is the gateway to our valley. It used to be a beautiful area with a bountiful river and natural habitats. We need to be able to learn to live in harmony with the environment and not force ourselves off on it.

We have been pursuing the removal of the old refinery and cleanup of substandard oil production facilities throughout the valley.

One proposal has been to establish an eco-industrial park in that area that provides jobs while respecting the environment. That type of project would result in cleanup of brown fields while maintaining the economic vitality of the region."

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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