A group of citizens have voiced concerns about Coastal Precast, formally the Bayshore plant.
Concerns are that the work taking place is “too noisy”, and it begins too early in the day. There are also concerns that the plant is an eyesore, and spoils the view.
Town Manager John Hozey told the Mirror via email, “a grassroots group of local citizens has formed bring their concerns forward. Their concerns involved air quality and visual impacts, but chiefly noise. I have been meeting with this group and with plant managers/owners to navigate a way forward. I will say that both this citizen’s group and the plant management have been very reasonable and we’re making progress. On the air quality front, the plant has purchased a water truck to dampen the roads during dry weather to keep the dust down. Regarding visual impacts, the plant is currently constructing a concrete block wall, 20 feet high and 400 feet long along the dock facing town to shield their material bins. They have also committed to removing the tattered material hanging from those large frames, and then eventually moving those frame to the south side of their property where they’d be less visible from town.
But most importantly, the plant has recently purchased and installed new equipment movement alarms that are significantly quieter than the ones they were using before.
Representatives from this citizens group and I when over there last week for a demonstration of these new alarms and they were much better than the old ones. Once all the equipment is configured with these new alarms we should see a noticeable reduction in noise levels coming from the plant.
Please note that this is a reduction of noise levels; there will never be an elimination of noise levels. We’re working cooperatively with the plant to reach compromise solutions that minimize quality of life impacts here in town, but also allow the plant to remain profitable and grow.
I think we’re striking that balance fairly well at the moment.”
Hmmmmm, anyone else wondering what the demographics of this “grassroots group of local citizens” are?
Maybe ex-pats, running away from “big city” life, bringing “big city” self-centered attitudes with ’em?
It was only a matter of time.
The Real Estate Brokers and the agents that carry their water are responsible for bringing this element to The Shore.
I don’t think it’s the brokers’ faults. They have to make a living too.
For instance, a real estate broker brought me to the Shore 20 years ago, out of the hell hole that is NY state and I am thankful she did.
The thing is, it’s up to each person to figure out for themselves why places become hell holes, why they want to leave such places and then CHANGE THE WAY THEY THINK.
Another for instance. My sister-in-law is a big time Lib living in LA. She is enamored of the Shore and is considering moving here.
I kinda laughed when she told us and explained she’d have to really readjust her thinking.
For one thing, about every third person you meet on the street has a concealed carry permit and a good portion are armed.
We were sitting in a local eatery at the time of the discussion and she asked if I was armed. I affirmed that I was. I thought she was going to faint in the guacamole.
Long story, short, she’s not moving here.
One down, a qazillion to go.
Thank you Ray for doing your part!
Thanks Dave……and glory be, we don’t have to be assholes while doing so.
Can I get an amen, Stu?
I don’t think it’s the brokers’ faults. They have to make a living too.’
‘The Brokers advertised our home land all over the world….the agent showed the property. They brought an element that would complain about concrete plants, among many other things. We use to look at a boats numbers before deciding to pull they off a mud flat or oyster rock. You get the implication, I am sure.
“We use to look at a boats numbers before deciding to pull they off a mud flat or oyster rock. ”
Not rescuing a stranded boater, no matter their home port, is contrary to maritime tradition so that’s not something to brag about.
As for the real estate agents, it’s up to the individual to adopt local culture, not the job of real estate agents to vet the buyers.
In fact, there are laws against such things.
Now that’s funny.
C’mon people, get a grip! It needs to be a “working harbor!”
They provide jobs and the people working there pay taxes.
We should be thankful that the plant is up and running!! They provide good jobs for the local people!
Where do these people suggest that the plant be? Which came first the plant or the conplaints
It sounds like the plant managers/owners are spending a lot of money and effort to satisfy the citizens. I hope these “concerned citizens” appreciate it. I also hope they can learn to appreciate that there is another group of “concerned citizens” about the dwindling population of the Shore— largely due to lack of full-time permanent jobs. People need to feed their families.
For those worried about the sounds of progress understand this…..That concrete plant was there loooooong before ANY of you landed here and guess what? It will be there loooong after you leave.
HEAR!!!! HEAR!!!!!!!
Cape Charles was founded in the late 1800’s. Much has changed since then. Bayshore Concrete came into being in the 1960’s to provide material for the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel. The current operation does provide decent jobs and tax revenue. But starting operations from 6 Am to after 7PM with loud and long duration back up beepers and noise from the rock transfer operation isn’t neighborly. Hopefully satisfactory arrangements will come. Kumbaya!
Maybe a wall should be built around Cape Charles so as not to “disturb” her residents??
Those people are gripless!
I am a NYer who Loves the Shore, Cape Charles and a Working Waterfront.
I am very happy the plant is up again since Skanska quit operating it and put it up for sale.
Personally I think all concerned are doing a great job in dealing with the reconfiguration of the plant.This is not something which can happen overnight and patience is necessary to insure it is done Safely and correctly.
People moving here? Well you who are local got the Bay Bridge Tunnel did you think they’d never cross it ? But your happy for the jobs it creates and the revenue that it brings into the community.
If a town becomes a hell hole it is usually because if try to reinvent itself instead of embracing the diamond it is and controlling growth in a responsible manner.
Pay offs and promises don’t pay your Bill’s nor make you any better off.Only being involved to confront the Charlotten’s when they try to pull fast ones will keep your community under control.
In a funny kind of way Cape Charles hasn’t really changed a lot as only the names and club structure is different, but the partying and freedom to move about responsibly is still intact.A few brawls time to time, people wear different clothes they drive golf carts instead of horses but that wonderful let your hair down relaxing attitude is still present although it to is beginning to be encroached on with growth.
We have the greatest police dept who put up with stuff you know could never happen on the other side.
So if you don’t like something do like these citizens are doing and get involved or,
Zip It,!
The worst sound you can get out of that concrete plant, is the sound of silence.
Perhaps concrete plants could have been designed to be better looking. Obviously their creators didn’t get the memo. SO WHAT. We aren’t all Giselle Bundchen and Tom Brady now are we ?
If you want the plant to appear as though it was designed by Yves St. Laurent, well then hook up one of those disgusting real estate agents up with him, get him to build a place here, and have him to pay for it’s redesign. That disgusting agent would love you.
Do something positive instead of complaining about someone else ? Maybe your own house needs a facelift and you’re blaming it on the concrete plant ?
mumble mumble grumble grumble and Thank God tide still turns twice a day. I have someone who gets it to talk to, eh Gene ?
Maybe people should just move you have enough money evidently to go where you want why not just pack up. People have to work and your cute little cape Charles needs a plant working for the less fortunate people that also share the Eastern shore with your uppity self’s. That noise isn’t loud at all maybe you shouldn’t sleep til noon. Find something to do with your lifes other then complain about the rather small things. So ungrateful.
HEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!