Some people say, “Just approve the crusher and collect taxes on the aggregate.” But to the JCPS, that’s missing the bigger issue.
If a use, specifically the Whaley Quarry in Piedmont, is prohibited by the county’s own zoning rules, then the answer shouldn’t be to ignore the law because it might generate revenue. Laws and zoning ordinances are supposed to apply equally to everyone.
The people of Piedmont are the ones who will live with the dust, noise, truck traffic, property impacts, and quality-of-life changes long after the tax dollars are spent. A community should not be asked to sacrifice its health, safety, and rural character so that an operation can generate more revenue.
Tax dollars do not make an illegal or improperly approved activity right. If the county is willing to set aside its own rules for one operator, what message does that send to every other resident and business that is expected to follow those same rules?
The question isn’t whether crushed aggregate can be taxed. The question is whether the county should ignore zoning laws and community concerns to create more taxable revenue. The JCPS believes the rule of law and the well-being of Piedmont residents should come before the promise of additional tax dollars.
