Boulder County, Colo., planning officials sent a letter on April 10 to Cemex terminating the company’s right to operate its cement plant near Lyons after a traffic study determined that increased traffic at the plant has created a hazard as well as improperly expanded operations.
“Boulder County has issued a termination notice to Cemex, Inc. requiring the company to cease operations at their Lyons cement plant,” said Community Planning and Permitting Director Dale Case. “After a thorough investigation, we have determined that additional traffic at the plant has expanded Cemex operations.”
The Lyons plant has been in operation since 1965. However, in 1994 the county amended the Land Use Code to require Special Use approval for all general industrial uses in the General Industrial district. As a result, the cement plant became a nonconforming use. Under the county’s land use code, uses that do not conform with the code are allowed to continue, but they generally cannot be expanded or altered.
Cemex has 30 days to provide evidence that either the director’s determination was incorrect, reduce enlarged use of the plant, or file an appeal with the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners.
The company will be able to operate the Lyons cement plant under current operating conditions until a final determination is made.
“Cemex is reviewing the notice issued by Boulder County’s Director of Community Planning & Permitting regarding the land use status of our Lyons cement plant and will respond within the next 30 days,” the company said. “Cemex will continue to operate the plant under current operating conditions, producing high-quality cement without disruption to our hard-working employees or our valued customers.
“The cement produced at the Lyons plant by our more than 100 employees, including employees represented by the International Union of Operating Engineers, is a vital construction material for building homes, roads, hospitals, businesses, schools and other infrastructure projects that improve safety, mobility and quality of life in Boulder County and throughout Colorado.”
