Plans to expand Raleigh quarry dropped

A company that operates a quarry in northwest Raleigh has withdrawn plans to expand in light of neighborhood opposition and the denial of a rezoning permit.

Hanson Aggregates wanted to rezone 100 acres off Duraleigh Road from residential to industrial use, but the Raleigh Planning Commission voted unanimously last week against the proposal.

The Raleigh City Council will have the final vote on the project next week, but Hanson officials said in a letter to the planning commission that they wouldn't be at the council meeting to lobby for approval. Because neighbors protested the rezoning, at least six council members would have to vote in favor of it.

Hanson had said it would extend the Crabtree Greenway through the site to Umstead State Park, add 50 parking spaces for park visitors, create a nine-acre nature preserve and allow the city to use the quarry for flood control.

But residents of the nearby Delta Ridge subdivision say the noise and blasting associated with an expansion of the quarry would hurt their quality of life and property values.