100 Acre, 24 HR Plastic Pipe Factory in the Middle of your Neighborhood?

 A new plastic pipe plant was on the agenda for the Lake Wales Planning & Zoning Board. If approved by this unelected board, the proposed plant will occupy 100 acres at the corner of 11th Street South and Hunt Brothers Road.  The manufacturing building alone will be the size of 7 football fields (5+ times the size of a similar Advanced Drainage Systems (ADS) plant currently operating in Sebring - see the picture on this post).  It will operate 24/7 with employees and an estimated 250 Semi commercial trucks coming and going at all hours of the day and night with noise, lights, and possible hazardous materials.  The plant is appropriately located in Sebring - in an industrial park.   This location is near to existing homes and next to approved residential areas.

City employees knew about this project since August of 2021.  Yet, the people of Lake Wales learned about it few weeks ago when the www.lakewalesnews.net  ran an article about it.  The three closest communities to this proposed plant are:  Highland Manor, Highland Park, and Whispering Ridge! 

There are many unanswered questions:

• What type of hazardous materials will be kept at this plant?
• How much water, air, and noise pollution; car and commercial traffic will be generated?
• What tax incentives/inducements have been offered to this  company?
• Why did the people of Lake Wales not know about this proposed plant until now?

What we request the City of Lake Wales to do:

1. Complete a review of existing comprehensive plan compatibility and compatibility with neighboring areas, including the impacts of noise, fumes, dust, traffic, light, and proposed 24/7 hours of operation.

2. Complete a comprehensive environmental impact study addressing the potential for air and water quality issues resulting from daily operation, use and storage of components and finished products, and accidents (fire, leakage, etc.) that might occur at the plant.

3. Complete an economic assessment of the effect the proposed plant would have on property values (commercial and residential) in the area.

4. Hold public hearings and confer with neighboring communities and municipalities so that all concerns can be heard and addressed.

5. Charge the elected officials of the Lake Wales City Commission to ultimately approve or deny this project, as opposed to delegating that authority to committee or to staff.

Sign the Petition so they can hear our voice!