Background on the Azusa Rock Quarry

For the benefit of the citizens of Azusa, we wish to clarify some information on matters relating to the rock quarry on the hillside (Azusa Rock Inc.).

First, in March of 1987, the City Council requested staff to review the Azusa Rock quarrying situation. In March of 1988, the council directed the Planning Commission to also review this matter. After hearing numerous hours of public testimony and reviewing many documents over several months time, the City Council elected to proceed with mitigation instead of a long and expensive court fight. The decision to proceed with mitigation resulted from the City Council’s invitation to all three groups involved to sit at the bargaining table and discuss resolving the problem. During the process, two of the groups elected to actively participate, while one decided to only monitor the sessions. Thus, the new resolution represents a culmination of efforts among the cities of Azusa and Duarte, and Azusa Rock Inc. As a result of the group’s effort, we strongly believe that the adopted mitigation measures place more stringent requirements upon the Azusa Rock quarry operation.

Second, the new resolution specifically indicates that the original conditions under the 1956 special use permit shall remain in full force and effect. Hence, combining the original permit and the new resolution strengthens and enhances the conditions imposed by the original conditional use permit. This provides the city with greater control and leverage in order to enforce compliance by Azusa Rock.

The new restrictions include reviewing the Azusa Rock Quarry special use permit every two years to monitor compliance (the Planning Commission will conduct public hearings). Additional restrictions to be met by the quarry include reduced hours and days of operation, the rerouting of truck traffic away from residential areas, revegetation of the hillside, and improved dust control measures.

Third, the passage of the new resolution raised some concerns regarding the city’s power of revocation and the implementation of environmental reviews. In the event of noncompliance by Azusa Rock, the Azusa City Council may elect to revoke the special use permit. Moreover, with respect to the environmental reviews, the city would like to assure the community that environmental studies will be conducted when necessary. Specifically, an environmental assessment will be required before rock is transported across the San Gabriel River.

In closing, being an elected official sometimes requires making unpopular choices. We must often stand alone in exercising the leadership that is so essential in hearing all sides of an issue in order to make the proper decision. We, as City Council members are aware that there are some people who do not agree with our position in this matter; but we would like the record to show that after a thorough review of the relevant information and after assessing the positive and negative aspects of this situation and how it would effect Azusa, we firmly believe that our decision was in the best interest of the community at large.

TONY NARANJO, Mayor

Pro Tem

JENNIE AVILA, Councilwoman

BRUCE LATTA, Councilman

HARRY STEMRICH, Councilman