FAIRBORN – After more than 600 acres were rejected to be rezoned from agricultural use to mining use by the City of Fairborn’s Planning Board, CEMEX, who utilizes the land, announced during a Monday evening citizens forum that it would be appealing the board’s decision.

“If we cannot access the limestone that is on our property, this plant has a very limited future,” Local CEMEX Plant Manager John Miller said. “But if we can harvest that rock, this plant will be a vibrant part of this community for the next 40 years … This is in the best interest of the entire Fairborn community, and I would appreciate city council’s leadership in this critical process. Over the next few weeks, we will work with council to ensure that each question is accurately answered by the proper resources, as we appeal the board’s decision.”

The local CEMEX operation employees more than 120 individuals, some being Fairborn residents, according to Miller.

“I believe the board did not vote on whether or not the zoning was appropriate, which is the issue that was before them,” Miller said. “Instead there was a discussion that was in no-way related to the facts about CEMEX operations.”

The meeting allowed discussion to take place between resident’s near the area in question, and CEMEX employees. One resident passed around a typed letter, asking council to consider the compromises listed, which included having blasts take place at least 1,000 feet away from residential properties, and utilizing the one-call system to alert residents about when blasts would take place.