Rockton residents are one step closer to final vote being taken on proposed asphalt plant

By Marianne Mueller
REPORTER
Rockton residents packed the Winnebago County courthouse on Feb.22 and 23. Residents are now one step closer to a final vote being taken on a proposed asphalt plant.
During a lengthy process numerous hours of testimony have been given in a series of meetings. The first testimony was opened on Dec.7 at Memorial Hall. Since then all meetings have been held to the Winnebago County Courthouse.
Petitioner Wayne Klinger of Northern IL. Service Co. applied for a map amendment to rezone 32.58 acres from Ag.-Agricultural to IG-General Industrial. The property owner is Michael and Ann Black. Two parcels of property are located between 11184 and 11298 N. Main St. in the Rockton Township right next door to the Rockton Rock Quarry.
If granted a special use permit would allow a batch plant, asphalt concrete crushing and storage facility, in the General Industrial District.
The Rockton Village sent a letter of opposition to the proposed plant. A recom-mendation made by the Rockton Township Planning and Zoning Advisory board progressed to a public hearing where the Rockton Township Board voted to oppose rezoning of the properties from AG to IG and to oppose granting the Special use Permit to allow operation of an asphalt plant on the properties.
Rockton Township offi-cially voted against the pro-posal and gave a recommendation for a resolution to be a legal objector.
Rockton Township Supervisor Tom Jencius shared information at the Jan. 17 meeting based on a report highlighting excerpts by Winnebago County Soil and Water on the proposed asphalt plant. The report contained photos showing

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