Published: July 04, 2009 09:44 pm      

Research, IDEM citation now have Mayor England against CCE relocation in New Albany

On second thought ...

Mayor Doug England changed his mind about CCE Inc.’s proposed move to Ind. 111 after receiving notification of new Indiana Department of Environmental Management violations against the company Wednesday.

According to England, CCE and its owner, Jeff Eastridge, were cited for filling in a flood plain at 1706 Ind. 111, the site where Eastridge is hoping to move his tire shredding and recycling business.

CCE has not been approved to start work at the site, as a variance allowing outdoor storage there would have to be approved by the New Albany Board of Zoning Appeals.

The board is scheduled to hear Eastridge’s request at 7 p.m. Tuesday, but England — who lives adjacent to the Ind. 111 site — said he will request as a resident that the variance be denied.

“I don’t want him building behind my house,” England said.

The New Albany Redevelopment Commission will still likely buy CCE’s current property at 2045 Silver Street in the former Hoosier Panel building. But England said the past citations against CCE coupled with the latest IDEM violation have made him skeptical.

“[Eastridge’s] actions seem to bring controversy, and we don’t need anymore,” England said.

Several residents that live near the Silver Street location and the proposed Ind. 111 site held meetings recently protesting the move and the fact CCE has been allowed to stay in operation despite several citations for storing waste outdoors.

England said he’s been researching the case, looking into what happened between Eastridge and the city before he took office. He concluded that CCE’s track record paired with the latest citation shows a pattern of ignoring laws and regulations.

Calls to CCE for comment were not immediately returned.

New Albany City Council President Dan Coffey resigned from the redevelopment commission last month as he objected to dealing with CCE because of the violations and an environmental study that showed contamination levels at the Silver Street site.

If necessary, England said Eastridge would be responsible for having the property cleaned of contaminants before the city would purchase the Hoosier Panel lot.

Coffey said Thursday he’s hopeful the board of zoning appeals will reject CCE’s request. The Ind. 111 site falls in Coffey’s district and he’s met with residents from the area to rally opposition against the possible move.

England stated last month he wasn’t opposed to CCE relocating and felt that the business fills a void the community needs. But the business aside, England said he’s not comfortable with Eastridge’s past experience after what he’s uncovered.

“Why can I trust him to come down here?” asked England.