The Board of Zoning Appeals appears poised to approve the continued blasting at the Vulcan Quarry, but will not make its decision until May 1.
The 307-acre quarry, which has been operating for more than 50 years, came before the board for its mandated five-year review. During the Jan. 23 meeting of the Board of Zoning Appeals, Lorton-area residents said they did not know that they were buying a house near a rock quarry or did not realize the impact that blasting would have on their lives. They blamed blasting at the quarry for vibrations in their homes, which they said shake furniture and crack septic tanks.
County staff rejected the claims that the quarry is causing the structural damage. Susan Langdon, of the Department of Planning and Zoning said that county planners have reviewed the scientific data, and although they could not identify the source of the problem, it does not appear to be the quarry.
Board member Norman Byers said that the quarry should be approved for continued operation. He said that it is explicitly noted in the county’s Comprehensive Plan that the site is to be a rock quarry. He also said that he reviewed six months of seismographic data and found the quarry to be in compliance with county standards, which are more stringent than either state or federal standards.
He noted studies conducted by the county’s Department of Transportation that found that the quarry produces an insignificant amount of traffic and Department of Health which found an insignificant amount of dust.
"Multiple inspections have indicated there is no violation," Byers said.
Byers then read off a laundry list of 16 agencies that will be responsible for monitoring the site. "This will arguably be the most regulated activity of its kind in the commonwealth, if not the United States," he said.
THE STICKING POINT in the board’s deliberations was a fear they the requirements they sought to mandate would go too far.
Board vice-chair Paul Hammack Jr. pointed to requirements that the fire marshal be tasked with some regulatory oversight. Hammack fears that the board does not have the authority to impose additional oversight.
Under Virginia’s Dillon Rule, virtually all power is reserved by the state government. The state may specifically permit other groups to take specific actions. Hammack questioned whether or not the Board of Zoning Appeals has been granted the authority to impose the additional oversight. "If it’s not in the ordinance, we don’t have the authority to require that," he said.
In the future, he said, citizens may look at the requirements imposed by the board and have an expectation for a review that may not be permitted. "We may be creating more problems," Byers said.
The Board deferred its decision for one week, so that its attorney can review the proposed regulations.