Opponents of the McLain family's proposal to produce biodiesel fuel on their farm off Snow Creek Road have made a good case that Iredell County commissioners should give great weight to tonight as they consider the McLain's rezoning request.
The McLains must have the property rezoned in order to begin refining the alternative fuel.
Phil McLain has been a good salesman for the project. The refinery, he claims, will create a new market for local farmers and make the community more self-sufficient as it reduces our dependence on foreign oil.
As any good pitch man would do, Mr. McLain has stressed the positives of this proposal while downplaying the downside and potential risk to the Snow Creek community.
His neighbors have been happy to fill in the gaps. And they have made some valid points: hazardous, flammable materials will be introduced into their neighborhood in large quantities, tanker-truck traffic will increase and, more than likely, property values will decline.
It would be easy to characterize their opposition as the "not in my back yard" type. But that would be wrong.
In our view, a biodiesel refinery is not suitable for anyone's back yard.
Commissioners should only approve this rezoning request if they are willing to allow a similar rezoning in their own neighborhoods.
A biodiesel refinery would fit right in among the quarter-million homes in Dogwood Estates, wouldn't it?
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