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NETS (Neighborhood Environment and
Traffic Safety) is a citizens group initially organized by a group of
concerned neighbors in October of 2007, when it became known that Rockford
Blacktop Construction Co. had applied for a special use permit (SUP) and a
zoning change that would allow them to operate an asphalt batch plant at the
Rockford Sand and Gravel Quarry, located at 25xx Mulford Road, Rockford,
Illinois 61108.
Proposed Site Map for Mulford Quarry Asphalt Plant
The quarry is surrounded by the homes
of more than 6000 residents who fear that living so near this type of heavy
industry may create significant health hazards and endanger their safety.
NETS mounted a grass roots effort to garner signatures on petitions and to
prepare a presentation to the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) in an effort to
show the tremendous opposition to the granting of a SUP and allowing a change
to the zoning requirements to allow the asphalt batch plant to be built
within 350 of established residential areas.
Numerous meetings were held to inform all concerned neighbors and
other citizens of Rockford.
Although NETS presented petitions with
more than 3000 signatures, including every one of the 38 adjacent property
owners, along with a very detailed presentation booklet and presentations at
the ZBA meeting, the SUP was approved by the ZBA by a 4 to 1 vote and went on
to the City Council where it was passed when Mayor Larry Morrissey cast the
deciding vote. The final vote
came on January 28, 2008.
On April 9, 2008, a group of 6 concerned neighbors, four of whom had been
presenters at the ZBA meeting, filed a “Complaint for Declarative Judgment
and Injunctive Relief” against the City of Rockford in Circuit Court of the
17th Judicial Circuit, in Winnebago County.
This legal effort is being handled by Attorney James Hess. The
case continues in the 17th Judicial Court.
Read the Copy of the Complaint filed here
Keep up with Status of Lawsuit 
NETS is still in existence and continues to be involved in the legal
proceedings and in neighborhood concerns.
NETS was instrumental in getting the speed limit on Charles Street
reduced to 35 mph from 45 mph. NETS
held a candidates forum during the recent local elections.
If you share our concerns, and would like to help, please contact us by
telephone or email. Please, leave your full contact information.
A
fund has been established to assist in the legal action. Show your support by
sending your donations to:
NETS
P.O. Box 5124
Rockford, IL 61125
BOARD
MEMBERS
Alec
Kaplanes and Clare F. Merwin - Co-Chairmen
Gary Zandonatti - Vice Chairman
Jim Martinson - Treasurer
Diane Mitchell - Secretary
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 Send Donations to: NETS
P.O. Box 5124
Rockford, IL 61125
How the Rockford City Council Voted: In our favor: NETS thanks....
Patrick Curran - R-2
Victory Bell - D-5
Bill Timm - R-9
Franklin Beach - R-10
Dan Conness - D-14
Jeff Holt - D-11 NOT in our favor:
Larry Morrissey - Mayor
Joe Sosnowski - R-1
Doug Mark - R-3
Carl Wasco - D-4
Leonard Jacobson - D-6
Ann Thompson-Kelly - D-7
John Beck - R-12
Nancy Johnson D-8 (Linda McNeeley - D-13 was absent) Bob Kinnison - Winnebago County Board District 10
did
not think the
Asphalt Plant is a good idea and wrote a letter in our behalf
Read his Letter to Director of Zoning
Board of Appeals
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