LAKE ASBURY, Fla. – Community members were invited to attend a Clay County Planning Commission meeting Tuesday night to discuss a controversial plan involving a former Superfund site.
A developer wants to build a master-planned community at the old Solite Plant, on the north side of County Road 209-A, east of 209-B. The proposed community would be part of the Lake Asbury master plan.
VIEW: Lake Asbury master plan | Lake Asbury map
Concerns over contamination have led to public outcry. Neighbors are worried the development on the former Superfund site would be dangerous.
Some neighbors worried about contamination have taken to social media to share those concerns. They’ve created a Facebook page called Save Russell Landing/ Stop the Solite Development. The page has nearly 1,000 members, some of whom planned to attend the meeting Tuesday night.
Background on the former Superfund site:
- The Florida Solite plant was shut down for illegally burning hazardous materials in the mid-1990s.
- Developers have said rezoning the site could bring hundreds of new homes to the area.
- The plan, if approved, would be to build no more than three units per net acre on the property.
- People who live in the area are worried that toxins in the ground will be disturbed if the land is developed for homes. They're concerned, saying it could be dangerous.
The Planning Commission met at 7 p.m. at the Clay County Administration Building in Green Cove Springs to take up the issue first. From there, it will go to the full Board of County Commissioners.
