The Daviess County Advisory Plan Commission voted unanimously to deny a request to rezone land in the northeastern part of the county to industrial that would allow for the construction of a new railroad tie plant near Odon.
About 80 people turned out at the meeting at the council chambers. Those opposed stated Creosote, a key chemical used in the process of making railroad ties, contains chemicals that are carcinogens that can lead to cancer. A petition with 672 signatures opposed to changing the zoning was presented to the commission.
The project included a $24 million capital outlay with 25 new jobs at the end of the first year and 55 jobs at the end of five years. In addition, the company projected an impact on the timber industry of up to $24 million annually and operation expenses of more than $1.1 million.