Residents may offer comments on proposed asphalt plant in Howell

HOWELL – The Howell Zoning Board of Adjustment is expected to hear comments from members of the public on April 29 regarding an application that proposes the development of a manufacturing facility on Yellowbrook Road.

L&L Paving, 89 Yellowbrook Road, Howell, is proposing to remove an existing concrete manufacturing facility and to develop a bituminous (asphalt) concrete manufacturing facility at its property in a Special Economic Development (SED) zone.

L&L Paving is seeking a use variance to develop the property as an asphalt manufacturing facility. The firm plans to remove a portion of the existing concrete manufacturing facility, rehabilitate an existing storage building, construct a quality control building and weigh station, install an office trailer, and remove and replace approximately 13 acres of impervious coverage with landscaping.

During the April 15 meeting of the zoning board, attorney Michael Butler represented L&L Paving and attorney John Paul Doyle represented Stavola Leasing, which is objecting to the application.

L&L Paving has been before one municipal board or another since the fall of 2017, when the company’s representatives sought to have the application heard by the Howell Planning Board. The application proposing the asphalt plant was eventually sent to the zoning board.

In public hearings that have stretched out for more than one year, testimony has been heard from professionals representing L&L Paving and Stavola Leasing.

Board members are expected to listen to comments from residents during the April 29 meeting in the Howell municipal building, Route 9.

In 2018, more than 400 residents of Equestra, an adult community in the vicinity of the proposed asphalt plant, signed a petition stating their opposition to the L&L Paving application.

John Doherty, the chairman of the Equestra Civic Issues Committee, said he expects a full room on April 29, adding, “We at Equestra will present compelling arguments that support the rejection of the application. We expect to fill the room with residents who object to this project.”