Commission approves mine rezoning in Pleasant Ridge | News

DAVIESS CO., IN (WFIE)-  

UPDATE: The Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission votes 5 to 4 to rezone several hundred acres of Pleasant Ridge for mining.

The decison was made early Friday morning after a seven hour discussion.

The final approval now lies with the fiscal court.

No date has been set yet for that meeting.

PREVIOUS:

The debate on whether or not to allow strip mining in the Pleasant Ridge area in Daviess County continues Thursday night.

The Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission is still hearing testimony from both sides.

For the second time in five months, Western Kentucky Minerals argued why 690 acres of land in Pleasant Ridge should be rezoned for mining to the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission.

The request was once again met with debate from residents in the area that don't want strip mining.

"If we get closer to homes, by law we shoot lesser explosives. Probably 80-90% of them go off within one second," said blasting expert Seth Burns.

"Things aren't very pleasant out in Pleasant Ridge these days," Bill Wilson, representing Residents Against Mine.

Each side with legal representation got an hour to speak, then people without representation got three minutes. Not everyone was satisfied with their time to talk.

"This is a public meeting addressing a new issue. I can't believe you don't want to hear them," said John Clay, who is against the mine.

Carlin Gregory, a resident against the proposed strip mine says since he spoke out against the mine at February's initial meeting, he claims he received a death threat in the mail, allegedly telling him to keep his mouth shut.

The Daviess County Sheriff's Office is investigating.

"Stated they were going to kill my dog, my mother, me and then burn my house down. The cause to stop this mine has gone from just discussion now to felonies being committed. I'm expecting full retaliation form the comments I'm making tonight," Gregory told 14 News.

That meeting is still going on, we'll keep you posted.