The Valliscor site on Ferry Street looked like this when I parked the bike at the curb last November.
The City of Albany today approved, with many conditions, the site plan of a proposed chemical plant on industrially zoned property on the east side of Ferry Street.
The city’s Commuunity Development Department posted a notice of decision on its website this morning. Unless someone with “standing” appeals within 10 days, the decision stands. An appeal would send the case to the city planning commission.
As I reported when neighboring property owners within 300 feet were notified in December, the site plan submitted by a company named Valliscor covers a vacant 13-acre property consisting of two lots at 2435 and 2445 Ferry St. S.W.
The plan divides the property into three lots and shows a 16,000-square-foot manufacturing building and a 15,000-square-foot chemical storage area on one of the new parcels near the center of the site.
The notice says the community development director approved the plan based on conformance with the development standards in the city’s code.
Valliscor is based on the HP campus in Corvallis. On its website, the company said it “specializes in the commercial manufacture of high-value compounds containing the element fluorine — particularly materials that require production under specific requirements due to their regulated properties.”
The city set 18 conditions the applicants must meet at various stages of the development. One is that the project must comply with all environmental standards in the development code during construction and operation.
Other conditions relate to utility connections, sidewalk construction on Ferry Street, and parking. One requires the installation of six electric-vehicle charging stations. (hh)
This is part of the site plan included in today’s decision approving the Valliscor plan.
Just what we don’t need, but Corvallis wanted to get rid of. More toxic chemicals in Albany and Millersburg is not in the cities best interest.
It is in the cities best interest, just not the residents best interest.
Really? Did they do any research? A quick use of AI on the internet provided this very concerning list. Right in the heart of good old Albany.
Please Lord send these people some brains and common sense!
Manufacturing fluorine poses significant environmental dangers primarily due to the release of highly reactive fluoride compounds like hydrogen fluoride (HF) which can contaminate air, water, and soil, leading to issues like plant damage, accumulation in animals through the food chain, and potential harm to aquatic ecosystems, especially when concentrated in sediments; this is particularly concerning because of fluorine’s tendency to persist in the environment due to its strong chemical bonds.
Key environmental concerns related to fluorine manufacturing:
Air pollution:
Emission of hydrogen fluoride gas which can irritate respiratory tracts and damage vegetation when inhaled, and can also be deposited on land and water through rain and fog.
Water contamination:
Fluoride entering water bodies can accumulate in sediments, affecting aquatic life and potentially impacting drinking water sources.
Soil contamination:
Fluoride can bind strongly to soil particles, leading to accumulation in plants that can then be ingested by animals, potentially causing bone abnormalities.
Bioaccumulation:
Fluorine can bioaccumulate in the food chain, meaning concentrations increase as it moves up from plants to herbivores to carnivores.
Plant damage:
High fluoride levels in the environment can cause visible damage to plant leaves, impacting crop yields.
Impact on wildlife:
Animals exposed to high levels of fluoride can experience bone abnormalities, dental issues, and reproductive problems.
Specific concerns related to different types of fluorine production:
Electrolytic production:
This method can release large amounts of hydrogen fluoride gas if not properly controlled.
Fluorspar mining:
Mining activities can generate dust and wastewater containing fluoride, potentially contaminating nearby water sources.
Fluoropolymer manufacturing:
Production of fluoropolymers like PTFE (Teflon) can release perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) which are highly persistent and can contaminate the environment.
Mitigation strategies:
Strict emission controls:
Implementing advanced technologies to capture and minimize fluoride emissions from industrial processes.
Wastewater treatment:
Proper treatment of industrial wastewater to remove fluoride before discharge.
Monitoring and regulation:
Regular monitoring of air and water quality around fluorine manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.
As long as this means more jobs for Albany, what does it matter if a flourine gas release kills a few hundred. Hering, I’ve seen you whine about a few graffiti spray jobs and the homeless campers, yet you simply nod off to sleep when the talk of poisonous gases are concerned. Glad you’ve got your priorities in order.
why? why must it be in town? so far, not a sole has had the spine to answer my question.
Just want Albany needs more crappy air quality. Don’t we have enough here with wah chang and there pollution.
I don’t think it will provide any jobs for Albany residents. The present employees will undoubtedly follow the building.
The question of why they are leaving Corvallis may have an answer in a TV News Report from Channel 9. HP apparently preparing to do some additions and new construction. I believe in the semi conductor sector.
As for the traffic, it will add more to the problem on Hwy 20 and Albany bridges.
The City Development Director was careful to say that he approved it following the City Code. Let’s hope that the potential for a disaster is given due consideration during the next stepl
People really find a reason to complain about anything I guess. I am excited to see a new company in town providing more living wage jobs for people here.
Albany or Lebanon nor Corvallis need or want a Chemical plant of any kind in our towns. They aren’t safe and could possible kill thousands of persons if a event should happen. Who care’s about these kinds of jobs. Our Government has no brains or common sense. Teledyne is bad enough to have in our back yard !
I vote no we already have ATI right down the street. Do we even get a vote. ATI is right down the street and some nights there are smells coming from there. This should not be by residential area. I have lived here for 20 plus years and don’t want to move. Use some common sense please. Somewhere people lives should matter.
Nothing to see here….
Corvallis company moves their toxic chemical plant to Albany. City approve it without hesitation. Will they be transporting their stuff on Hwy 20 or Hwy 34 or the train tracks in the center of town? Just what we need… a toxic spill on our already overcrowded roads. When will the City of Albany show some care for its residents?
Not in our lifetime, more than likely
My husband and I have lived in Albany for almost 30 years.If this plant gets built we will surely be moving! We vote NO on this plant! That’s one hell of a place to put it!