CHINO VALLEY, Ariz. — Penny Hubble and her husband, a veteran who suffers from PTSD, moved to Chino Valley in search of peace and quiet.
For the past 20 years, that's exactly what they've found.
"The neighbors just keep getting better and better," Hubble said.
But Hubble's newest neighbor could disturb her Cedar Heights community for the next 20 years.
"I'm not against mining, but why would you put a mine in the middle of a neighborhood that's been here for 30 years? It's heartbreaking," Hubble said.
Rock Supply, a Phoenix company, wants to build an aggregate mine on residentially zoned land, according to court records.
A complaint filed by Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes alleges the owners of Rock Supply have no record of previous mining experience.
Instead, past business ventures include attempting to build homes on the same land.
The complaint said the company is proposing to operate the mine under ARS 11-812 (A)(2), an exemption that allows a mine to be exempt from any zoning ordinance.
Geologist Eric Mears testified in the state's complaint that developers have used the mining exemption to improve sites ahead of development.
"No responsible mining entity would ever try to undertake this project unless the mineral resource was unique, irrefutably provided a critical and irreplaceable resource to the local market and had conducted meaningful outreach to the community," Mears said in the complaint.
Mears added he has serious doubts this site offers a substantial mineral resource.
The Attorney General alleges Rock Supply and Fortune Rock are breaking the law if they own and operate a mine in the middle of a neighborhood by causing a public nuisance.
Mayes said the mine would bring significant noise, dust and debris to people living hundreds of feet away, creating a hazard to their health.
Hubble said a mine would be detrimental for her husband and others suffering from PTSD in the neighborhood.
“A sudden noise, a blast, they just go south," Hubble said. "We would probably have to move."
Hubble said she's hoping the court doesn't let it come to that.
"Find another place to put your mine," Hubble said. "In the county, in the country, but not here."
A timeline filed by Rock Supply indicated if the plan were to be approved operations would begin almost immediately and last for the next 20 years.
12News reached out to Rock Supply and Fortune Rock but did not immediately receive a response.
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