Richmond Power & Light needs to combine four tracts into one parcel prior to executing its plan to contain roughly 400,000 tons of coal ash stored on its property.
The first step occurred March 25 when the Richmond Advisory Plan Commission unanimously gave a positive recommendation for rezoning two tracts adjacent to RP&L’s main facility along U.S. 27 to high impact. Richmond Common Council will decide the zoning requests.
RP&L acquired the 4.7 acres at 1807 Liberty Ave. and a 0.212-acre sliver of Elks Country Club’s golf course. The utility plans to combine those properties with its two main tracts to form one large property, but all four tracts must be zoned the same.
The federal government in 2015 implemented regulations requiring clean up of coal combustion residuals or prevention of them seeping into groundwater. RP&L’s containment plan includes grading the ash generated between the 1950s and 1970s for a geosynthetic (plastic/bentonite clay) cap and cover soil, removal of some ash to reduce the area capped, and installation of a perimeter slurry wall reaching bedrock.
The golf course sliver impacts positioning of the slurry wall, saving about $1.5 million. The utility acquired 1807 Liberty Ave. in case changes require a retention pond to control water runoff.
Neighbor Paul Bachner, whose property is west of 1807 Liberty Ave., was concerned about drainage onto his property and that a zoning change would enable RP&L to build on that 4.7 acres. Tony Foster, RP&L’s general manager, said the property, which juts off the northwest corner of RP&L’s site, is not suitably located for development of a substation or storage building.
Bachner said he’s concerned because he can only take Foster at his word there will not be further development.
Gordon Moore, who spoke for RP&L, said a retention basin would require Richmond Sanitary Department approval prior to construction and would be built to protect neighboring property owners.
If the zoning changes receive council approval, combining the tracts would progress to the plan commission’s plat committee.
Other issues
- Bruce Wissel was elected to continue as plan commission’s president during 2026, and Gary Turner was reelected vice president.
- Elijah Welch, Bill Engle, Wissel and Turner were reappointed to the plat committee. A fifth member must be appointed to replace a retired member.
- Plan commission voted to renominate Thomas Hill to represent it on the Street Tree Commission.
- A zoning request involving Uranus Fudge Factory and General Store was held for the April 22 meeting.
A version of this article appeared in the April 1 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.