By Clay LePard
clepard@cbs4qc.com
The battle continues for some QCA residents; Scott County leaders will discuss tonight rezoning one area of Long Grove, Iowa.
The spot could be home to an anhydrous ammonia fertilizer storage facility in the near future.
Residents say the potential anhydrous storage facility could potentially be explosive and put their families in danger.
"Minimal happens, one in a million, we could be that one in a million," Says Nancy Phelps, who lives near the proposed site on 290th Street. "And there is no evacuation route from my husband."
"Their concerns relate to environmental concerns, as far as runoff and contamination of groundwater, traffic, safety concerns relating to that," says Tim Huey, Director of the Scott County Planning and Development.
The facility would house anhydrous ammonia; a gas that experts say when stored and handled correctly, is safe. But, it does need to be constantly monitored.
This isn't the first time residents have argued against the proposed distribution center. Crop Production Services applied for rezoning 5 acres back in August, only to back down weeks later after neighbors complained.
But the company is putting its application back on the table, saying the closest other facility is 60 miles away.
County leaders say it all makes sense for the community.
"It meets our criteria for an agricultural service area," Huey adds. "Anhydrous ammonia is a product that's used by farmers throughout Scott County."
The hearing will take place at the Scott County Administrative building on 600 West 4th Street Tuesday at 7 p.m.
