Residents Want City to Veto Flour Mill

Armed with about 1,300 signatures in opposition to a planned flour mill in West Fullerton, residents will ask the City Council tonight to overturn the project.

The city’s Planning Commission last month approved the mill proposed by Hunt-Wesson’s parent company, ConAgra Inc. of Omaha, Neb. Residents filed an appeal to the City Council, contending dust from the mill would pose health hazards.

“If we can state the facts and show that we have support, no other reasonable person would say that this is a good idea,” said Bill Wotring, 36, who lives next to the project site at the former Hunt-Wesson Inc. cannery off Commonwealth Avenue and Brookhurst Road.

ConAgra officials have said the mill would be a safe operation, producing little dust and creating 20 jobs. The 129-foot-high mill would include 16 concrete silos, each 102 feet tall.

The City Council, anticipating a large turnout over the project, will hold its meeting at Sunny Hills High School Performing Arts Center, 1801 Warburton Way. The meeting starts at 7:30 p.m.

ConAgra officials said they are surprised residents have reacted so strongly. They contend the company has done everything to comply with city requirements and address residents’ concerns.