OCEANSIDE — The proposed cement plant on Industry Street was already turned down once, and many residents protested the project, but its supporters have won out and the city will allow the facility to go up.

Dozens of black and white signs were held in protest of Robertson’s Concrete Mix Plant on one side of the City Council chambers, while an equal number of green and white signs were held in support on the other side of the room during the March 19 council meeting.

“It’s the largest number of e-mails I’ve received on both sides of any topics,” Mayor Jim Wood said.

More than 50 speakers lined up to express their opinions on the proposed cement plant that was denied in a 5-2 vote by the Planning Commission in January 2008.

The Planning Commission voted down the cement plant because of the project’s impact on the environment, including hydrology, water quality, air quality, traffic noise, and floodplain issues, and its anticipated negative impact on the quality of life to surrounding neighborhoods.

The proposed cement plant is set to be developed on a 2.95-acre lot on Industry Street.

Site plans include an enclosed aggregate storage building, a 12,000-gallon diesel fuel tank, a 40-foot batch plant, two 60-plus-foot concrete silos, an office building, two detention basins, parking and landscaping.

Speakers opposing the plant echoed the Planning Commission’s concerns, seeing the proposed cement plant as an eyesore, a possible environmental hazard to the Loma Alta Creek that abuts the

property, and negatively impacting traffic with 802 daily truck trips between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. and deliveries until 9 p.m.

The message was “not in our backyard.”

“The 65-foot silos will change the whole look of Oceanside Boulevard,” said Sue McDonell, 26-year Oceanside resident.

“They will be seen from every house in the neighborhood,” McDonell added.

Speakers also reminded council of the vision of the Oceanside Boulevard Task Force.

“We want to actively recruit new businesses that environmentally fit. A concrete plant does not fit that vision,” said Sherlie Olson.

Supporters said the cement plant meets city requirements, is located in an area zoned for industrial use, and will add an estimated $230,000 in annual sales revenue.

City Planner Jerry Hittleman said the business will improve the site with open-space landscaping and a100-foot vegetation buffer between the plant and Loma Alta Creek.

Hittleman said the proposed plant is consistent with environmental laws and policies.

Project Manager Christen Goeyvaerts said the plant is the right project for the area and will absolutely not harm the creek.

Engineers were on hand to explain how plant wastewater would be captured and reused and not drain into the creek, and said truck traffic will not exceed city-based thresholds.

Speakers in support of the plant said Robertson’s will be a good neighbor, employer and community philanthropist.

Others that worked or owned businesses on Industry Street voiced concerns about their jobs and the future of their properties if an industrial business was denied.

“It’s zoned for industrial, let’s keep it that way,” said an Industry Street business owner.

Council OK’d the plant in a 3-2 vote.

“I am listening to you,” Wood told residents, and cast a “no” vote along with Councilwoman Esther Sanchez.

Sanchez cited conflicts with the vision plan for Oceanside Boulevard and possible environmental dangers as reasons for her vote.