Commission grants Helena Agri-Enterprises special-use permit for liquid fertilizer tank after residents raise safety and notice concerns

Washington County commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 3 to grant Helena Agri-Enterprises a Special Use Permit to construct a liquid fertilizer storage tank at 327 Folly Road in Plymouth following a quasi-judicial hearing.

Planning Director Allen Pittman read the Planning Board’s recommendation that the application met ordinance requirements and was consistent with the land-use plan. Helena representatives Ed Blackwell (Blackwell Engineering) and Stephen Burgess (Helena manager) described the proposal and mitigation measures: liquid fertilizer handling and any mixing would occur inside the facility, trucks would deliver bulk product and smaller trucks would distribute to farms, the site would be fenced with controlled access, and runoff would be managed with a bio-retention pond intended to prevent discharge to nearby waters.

Blackwell told the board the product "is not a dangerous chemical," said MSDS documentation would be provided to the county and reported a DOT traffic study estimate of about 740 trips per day on Folly Road with an anticipated increase of roughly 11 trips per day from the Helena activity. Burgess said the company expects to add one permanent employee and up to two seasonal workers; he also stated that state DEQ and NCDOT requirements would govern tanks, stormwater and driveway geometry.

Several sworn residents raised concerns during the hearing. Resident Donald Norman questioned whether notice to neighbors had been adequate; Commissioner Tracey Johnson and Chair Julius Walker noted residents reported not receiving direct mailed notice and that the sign posted at the site was small, though Pittman said the county had met statutory notice requirements. Other residents asked about spray drift, vapor risk and tanker rollover; Helena representatives said the product is not volatile, mixing is indoors, and bio-retention and inspection plans address runoff.

After discussion—during which commissioners noted that NCDOT and emergency management review driveway and life-safety aspects—Commissioner John C. Spruill moved to grant the permit with no special conditions; Commissioner Carol V. Phelps seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The board directed county staff to prepare the written order reflecting the decision.

No special conditions were recorded in the motion. The county and Helena should document life-safety measures and permit compliance in the written order and permit conditions that will form the enforceable record.