Hit By "Blizzard" Of Civil, Criminal, Environmental Complaints, Fisher Shuts Phoenix Asphalt Plant

[hatrack]

Under intense legal, government and community pressure, a Tempe company announced Thursday that it will shut down a controversial south Phoenix asphalt batch plant effective immediately.

Fisher Sand & Gravel Co. has been hit with a blizzard of environmental, criminal and civil citations from state and local agencies. Residents have pressed Phoenix to shut down the asphalt plant at 3828 S. 28th St., which they say spews dust, smoke and a hot-rubber odor.

n January, Phoenix filed criminal charges against the company. In a related case, a Maricopa County Superior Court
Ijudge was poised to rule whether Fisher had built the asphalt plant without a proper permit. Fisher has paid $6,000 for city code violations at the plant, which has been operating for four years.

"Ceasing operations allows us to clearly assess our options for this site or another more conforming location, work toward building better relationships with the surrounding neighborhood, and resolve any outstanding issues with the city and other governing entities," said Karl Gentles, a spokesman for Fisher.

EDIT

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/business/articles/2010/02/12/20100212biz-fisher0212.html

[bergie321]

1. This was in a poor residential neighborhood

They built the plant without even holding meetings in the neighborhood.