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Springfield residents angered by asphalt business — officials say company is breaking city ordinances

Posted at 11:39 PM, Oct 20, 2014
and last updated 2014-10-20 23:39:01-04

SPRINGFIELD, Mich. --  Homeowners call it the "asphalt graveyard."

It's heaps of torn up roadway located just off Avenue A.

The piles of rubble are being dumped by Lakeland Asphalt. While the business is placing the debris on its own property, homeowners tell FOX 17 they're sick of the noise and pollution.

"Lakeland Asphalt has decided to expand their business and created all kinds of havoc as far as noise and the hustle and bustles of traffic, and it's just been a nightmare trying to live with them," said Mark Opala, who lives across from the area.

Lakeland Asphalt has been a part of the community for more than 50 years. Over the past few years, however, it has expanded along much of Avenue A.

John Miller, another resident, said he's also been growing upset with Lakeland Asphalt over the years.

"All they're doing is dumping asphalt--concrete all times of night, all times during the day," John Miller said.

While Miller claims the noise is excessive, he said that's not the only concern.

"I can't keep a car clean because of the dust, dirt. My house stays dirty all the time," Miller said. "I have to wash it off with a power wash, and I'm getting too old for that. I'm 73 years old--I don't need that anymore."

Miller and Opala said they've taken their concerns to city officials but that they have yet to get a response.

FOX 17 Problem Solvers took the issue to city manager, Nathan Henne, who said Lakeland Asphalt is not in violation of just one ordinance, but two.

"Prior to 7 o'clock in the morning, you can't generate a certain amount of noise, and they've been doing that," Henne said. "We have decibel meter readings that exceed the limit, and so we've been trying to reach out to Lakeland, and it may end up in enforcement action."

Henne said Lakeland's piles of asphalt are also too high. When asking Henne why the business has yet to be fined, he didn't have an answer.

He said they've had trouble getting in touch with the owners.

FOX 17 stopped by the business but was promptly asked to leave.

Henne said the city is working on a resolution and that they should have answers by next week.

"I want the noise to stop," Opala said. "I want it to be a peaceful little city again."