HEARING FROM RESIDENTS — The Weirton Zoning Board of Appeals hosted a work session Wednesday, focused on a timbering proposal between Marland Heights and Freedom Way. Among those leading the discussion were, from left, Luke Benson of Trumco Forest Products, Zoning Board Chair Bill Frohnapfel, and Brent Lyons and Rudy Williams of the West Virginia Division of Forestry. -- Craig Howell

WEIRTON — A group of approximately 20 city residents were able to hear directly from officials with the West Virginia Division of Forestry in an effort to get more of their questions answered concerning a proposed timbering project in Weirton.

The Weirton Zoning Board of Appeals hosted a work session meeting Wednesday in the Weirton Room of the Millsop Community Center, in an effort to offer additional information on the timbering project, planned for 37 acres located between Marland Heights and Freedom Way.

“We had a lot of people who showed up at our Zoning Board meeting,” explained Mark Miller, the city’s planning and development director, referring to the board’s July 1 regular meeting, where members were asked to consider the project, to be performed by Trumco Forest Products on behalf of Barone Realty. “There were a lot of questions.”

Luke Benson, of Trumco Forest Products, as well as Brent Lyons and Rudy Williams of the Division of Forestry, were on hand Wednesday.

Benson explained the process planned for the project is a sustainable harvest – or selective timbering – with a focus on targeting mature trees of at least 20 inches in diameter. He estimated approximately 10 percent of the existing trees could be removed.

“We would go in and individually select the trees,” he said. “It’s not a clear cut.”

Most of those in attendance Wednesday expressed concern over the potential for erosion on the hillside property once the timbering is complete, as well as how it could affect neighboring properties, with others pointing to potential effects on wildlife.

Williams explained, in order for a company to perform timbering work in West Virginia, they must meet certain requirements, including passing a Best Management Practices class, which includes knowledge of erosion prevention.

He explained, under current state laws, inspections of projects by the Division usually are only done at the end of timbering.

“My guys, though, they check the jobs,” he said, noting he has personnel on site at the beginning, at least once during the project, and at the end.

He also said the Division doesn’t sign off on a project until land reclamation has been completed.

Lyons, meanwhile, said the Division has worked with Trumco numerous times over the years.

“We’ve never had any major issues,” he said, noting minor points have been addressed.

Benson noted he also had been proactive in his efforts, compiling a matrix of soil properties in and around the acreage, as well as surveying any existing streams, saying he would have no interest in timbering in areas where there would be known issues. He also assured residents he would not be going onto their properties, and would be willing to offer a buffer between those properties and the timbering operation.

“The property has been surveyed. We don’t cross boundaries,” he said.

Miller further explained the Zoning Board could require certain contingencies as part of its approval of the conditional use permit. Some of the residents asked about offering their own suggestions of contingencies, to be communicated to the Zoning Board by Ward 5 Councilwoman Brittany Holloway, as part of the process.

The proposal will go before the Zoning Board for consideration at its Aug. 5 meeting, although some officials in attendance noted it is possible the proposal could, again, be tabled for additional consideration.