Mill's towers proposal gets input
from residents near and far

A plan by the Star of the West Milling Co. to build eight, 110-foot grain silos topped with 37.5-foot grain elevators on its property at 35 South Main Street in the Village of Churchville drew about 32 people to a public hearing February 27 where comments were balanced in support of and against the project.

The mill is located on industrially-zoned land with a height restriction of 50 feet, which means owners must receive a variance from the zoning board of appeals before they can proceed. The request had to be tabled following last week’s public hearing because an environmental assessment form had not been filed by the mill owners. The zoning board of appeals plans to meet again to vote on the request March 13, at 7 p.m. at the Village Hall.

Support for the mill centered around the idea that it is the oldest business in the area, and one of the few remaining economically viable industries the village has.

"Having the mill successful is very important to farmers in the area," said local farmer Rob Colby. "It is important for the agricultural economy - small to mid-sized farmers are the first to go if the local mill goes.

"One of the best ways to keep open space and agricultural land is to (support) farmers," Colby said.

Neighbors voicing concern over the plan cited fire safety, noise, and the visual impact the towers would have on the village. "Economics, economics, economics, I’ve only heard about the economics of the mill tonight," said Gary Parnell, Fitch Street. He asked board members to consider what effect this construction will have on local property values.

"That’s going to drive the price of my home down. I haven’t heard anything about new jobs … it’s not going to increase the economy of the village, just the mill and outlying farms," he said.

Star of the West Manager Francois Lachance said this project would not create new jobs at this time. However, he said the additional storage capacity is necessary to allow the mill to stay open and preserve the current jobs. He also said this will also set the stage for future expansion - the mill hopes to double its production in the next 10-15 years - which would create new jobs.

According to Lachance, the mill has experienced a 50 percent increase in production over the past three years and needs the additional silos to store raw, cleaned wheat. He said the industry standard is to be able to store about six months worth of wheat, and the mill can currently only store about six weeks’ worth.

"It’s very difficult to operate under these conditions," said Lachance. He said the lack of storage prevents the mill from buying more wheat at harvest when prices are lowest, which needs to happen if the mill is to remain competitive. "It’s a necessity," he said.

Lachance told the audience that while Rochester was once known as the center of milling in New York state, thus its one time nickname "The Flour City," Star of the West is one of the few mills remaining. "The reason? They were willing to make the changes necessary to survive," he said.

Zoning Board of Appeals Chair Lynn Baker asked Lachance whether the mill could build shorter, wider silos. Lachance explained that it is much cheaper to build up than out. This project is expected to cost more than $3.5 million.

Paul Miller, of Fitch Street, asked whether the fire department could put out a fire in a tower that high, in the event of an explosion. Churchville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Greg Harmer said that the department does not have a ladder truck and cannot reach a fire in the current silos anyway. He said they would depend on aid from Chili or Spencerport fire departments.

Miller also said telecommunications ordinances require specific setbacks for telecommunications towers because of the danger of ice and debris collecting at the top. "The higher it is, the more apt it is to blow into the neighborhood," Miller said.

Star of the West President Art Loeffler, who was in Churchville for the meeting, along with Corporate Milling Superintendent Gary Pickleman from their headquarters in Michigan, said he has never heard of such a problem in 25 years of business. Lachance added that the placement of the silos in the center of the mill’s property would make it extremely difficult for any ice or debris to blow onto Fitch Street or Howard Avenue.

Jean Miller, also of Fitch Street, opposed the project saying, "A lot of people have put a lot of money into their houses here."

Todd Roberts, a farmer who drove in from Medina to support the project said, "It’s important to people way beyond Churchville, way beyond the county … No, I do not live in Churchville, but anytime a business wants to expand, especially in Western New York, I would think that it was a good thing."