Take Action
The City of Ranson is seeking to correct mistakes it made in 2017 when the city rezoned portions of the Jefferson Orchards property to industrial use, which benefited Rockwool North America (Roxul).
Two important public hearings are being held virtually in June to consider proposed Ordinance #2017-302, which reads:
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING AND RE-ENACTING THE OFFICIAL ZONING MAP OF THE CITY OF RANSON PURSUANT TO RANSON MUNICIPAL CODE § 19-20 AND CHAPTER 19A, ARTICLE 1: ‘JEFFERSON ORCHARDS’ REALLOCATING TRANSECT DISTRICTS (DISTRICT 8, TAX MAP 12, PARCEL 1)
This ordinance will protect Rockwool rather than the citizens of Jefferson County. You have an opportunity to send public comment to the Ranson City Council asking them to reject the ordinance to rezone for Special District Industrial.
In addition to sending comments, you can:
Attend the virtual first reading of Ordinance #2017-302 at 7 p.m. on June 16, 2020. Register here.
Attend the virtual public hearing at 7 p.m. on June 23, 2020. Register here.
See this Ranson Public Notice for more information.
Click the above banner to quickly and easily send an email to Ranson City Council. This external link will take you to The Action Network, which will allow you to participate in an email writing campaign.
If you do not want to use the Action Network portal to send your letter to Ranson, you may send comments directly to SPfaltzgraff@ransonwv.us for consideration.
The deadline for public comment is June 18, 2020.
Suggested Messaging
We suggest the following talking points to consider when writing your comments to Ranson:
- Citizens come first. The City Council Members and the Mayor’s first responsibility is to the citizens of Ranson and remaining in harmony with the surrounding Jefferson County community. The Council should vote against this ordinance as it prioritizes the needs of Rockwool before the general welfare of its residents.
- Heavy industry at the Jefferson Orchards site is not wanted. The allocation of an industrial zone can cause detrimental effects to the flourishing local agriculture, equine and tourism community, and can impact nearby schools, as well as deteriorate air, land and water quality.
- Passing this ordinance will ensure a legacy of infamy. Is this what the Council wants to be known for?
The Backstory
Ranson is on a fast track to correct its mistakes. The rezoning was required in order for Rockwool to build an insulation factory on the Jefferson Orchards property. Ranson is reacting to a ruling issued on May 5 by Jefferson County Circuit Court Judge David Hammer who agreed with the claim in Jefferson County Vision’s lawsuit from December of 2018: the City of Ranson failed to provide adequate public notice when it changed its zoning to permit heavy industrial uses at Jefferson Orchard.
A timeline of Ranson and Rockwool is available here. This timeline also includes links to the May 5 court order, JCV press releases on the subject, and a letter to Ranson written by JCV attorneys.
