Richmond Hill officials dealt a major blow to a proposed nickel refinery after ruling heavy-metal refining is not allowed under the current zoning for a former Caesarstone facility in coastal Georgia.
The City Council, sitting as the Board of Zoning Appeals, voted unanimously June 2 to affirm the planning director’s February determination involving 1 Caesarstone Drive. The city said refining nickel, cobalt or other heavy metals through carbonyl or other processes is not permitted within the Belfast Commerce Centre Level II Planned Development District.
The decision does not rewrite zoning, but it means the contemplated refining use cannot move forward at that site unless the property owner applies for and wins rezoning through Richmond Hill’s public process, which includes public notice and an advertised hearing.
Westwin Elements, an Oklahoma-based company, had proposed the refinery at the Belfast Commerce Park site formerly occupied by Caesarstone. The Current reported Westwin began negotiating with state and local development authority leaders in 2022, but the proposal drew intense public opposition once it became public.
Residents packed the June 2 meeting, and some waited outside because the room hit capacity, WTOC reported. City leaders said the property is zoned for general industrial use, but not heavy-metal refining, while residents and environmental groups called the vote a win.
The dispute follows a separate environmental controversy. Richmond Hill and Bryan County launched a joint investigation in February after Westwin Chief Executive KaLeigh Long said the property had significant silica contamination, elevated arsenic levels and hazardous waste barrels. City and county officials said those allegations warranted immediate investigation.
The refinery fight is not necessarily over, but any revival now appears likely to require a public rezoning battle.
