Vallejo Planning Commission Votes Against Allowing New Cement Plant
VALLEJO (KPIX 5) -- Vallejo's Planning Commission decided not to allow a massive cement plant proposed at the edge of the Napa River in south Vallejo.
It's a proposal that has provoked plenty of controversy.
So many people packed Monday night's meeting that some had to be turned away.
City staff had already recommended that the commission deny the plan.
Opponents have argued a cement factory at the site of Vallejo's old General Mills flour mill will bring too much traffic and air pollution to a residential area that already suffers from high rates of asthma and other illness.
Vallejo resident LaDonna Williams said, "They're proposing to put this cement plant #1, right by the school and #2, in a predominately black community. That's environmental racism."
But Vallejo resident Marlies Lenigk sees it differently, saying, "This company is environmentally friendly. They are trying to do their best and giving into all the demands we have to make it smaller here and better there. They're doing all this."
Supporters also believe the plant would bring jobs to the city.