Colwich rethinks ethanol plant rezoning

BY PHYLLIS JACOBS GRIEKSPOOR
The Wichita Eagle

Colwich's planning and zoning commission has reversed an earlier decision and recommended that the city deny Abengoa Bioenergy's request to rezone a parcel of 120 acres to build an ethanol plant adjacent to its existing plant.

The commission's Tuesday night meeting lasted past midnight and had more than 90 residents speak out against the proposed plant.

The commission did vote to recommend approval of a special-use permit for a 40-acre parcel that Abengoa already owns and that is currently zoned heavy industrial.

Abengoa could not be reached for comment Wednesday, and it was unclear how the mixed vote could affect the company's plans.

The Colwich City Council will vote on both recommendations Feb. 13.

Colwich residents cited concerns about air and water pollution from the plant and pointed to long-standing problems with the existing plant, which is one of the oldest in the country. Abengoa bought the plant from High Plains Corp. about five years ago. It has been cited for violations of its air quality permit and for wastewater problems.

Farmers in the region voiced concerns about the increase in truck traffic, particularly along 151st Street West to K-96. That route would mean an increase in traffic through the small towns of Halstead and Bentley as well as increasing congestion at the 151st Street and K-96 intersection.

"I just don't see how that road can bear that kind of increase in traffic," farmer Alvin Neville said. "We already have trouble in some areas handling the traffic we already have. As a farmer, I appreciate the benefits from ethanol, but there are problems with trying to build a plant that size in this region."

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The Colwich Council did approve the new expansion. What is interesting is that David VanderGriend, CEO of ICM (Firm that will build the Wright ethanol Plant) stated the following:

"Odor is not regulated but is subjective. A noise plan needs to be developed. The city nees to be sure that has the ability to make changes, and regulate changes resulting from biomass expansion"

His final comment to the city council members was, "What is the city council really doing for the citizens of Colwich if you allow this expansion?"

Why do I get the idea that Mr. David VanderGriend, CEO of ICM, is against the construction of a ethanol plant in the area he lives?