A company that operates a quarry in northwest Raleigh has withdrawn plans to expand in light of neighborhood opposition and the denial of a rezoning permit.

While not in Tornado Alley, residents of North Carolina know all too well that our state is not immune from these destructive storms. The most notable outbreak of killer tornadoes occurred on the night of March 28, 1984. Before that night was over, we had lost 44 North Carolinians in the worst tornado outbreak our state had seen since the late 1800's. The city of Raleigh will never forget the morning of November 28, 1988 when a single tornado stayed on the ground over 80 miles from Umstead Park in Wake County all the way to Northampton county. Just a few years ago, Kenly and Elm City were forced to deal with some of the worst that nature has to offer.

Residents of the Delta Ridge subdivision have expressed opposition to the project by posting signs in their yards and launching a website against Hanson Aggregates' plan. The company is seeking city approval to rezone 100 acres from residential to industrial use.