Two days after the Givuadan Sense Colour plant exploded, families in the Clifton neighborhood remain shaken.Hannah and Dan Nitzken say they were home when it happened. "I mean it hit you in your chest, the pressure from this blast was horrifying," said Hannah."And the emotional toll this takes on families to not feel safe in their homes after an explosion like this cannot be understated," she added. They remember last October when a thick film covered neighboring homes and cars after food coloring escaped from the plant. But they didn't know about the prior explosion in 2003. After that explosion, which killed one person, the plant was rebuilt and expanded. But the couple says they don't want to see that happen again, at least not here. "We would not be interested in seeing them doing anything that would remotely come close to exploding near our homes ever again," said Hannah. "It seems highly dangerous to have something like that in a residential neighborhood," said neighbor Michael Scroggins, who lives just down the street from the explosion site. So why is there an industrial plant in a residential neighborhood?Previously known as D.D. Williamson, the plant has been in Clifton since 1948. On Wednesday, Councilman Andrew Owen said the zoning is grandfathered in. "Something like this would not be legal today according to our zoning code but this company's been there for an awfully long time," he said. But, can the zoning change?The Metro Office of Planning says the property owner can initiate a change in zoning.This would launch a process in which the Metro Council would vote to give final approval or denial. A Metro Council spokesperson says in some situations, Metro Council can initiate a change, but it's typically done with area-wide changes to zoning and when the neighborhood agrees. On Thursday, Mayor Craig Greenberg said he wants to see Givaudan stay in Louisville, but said there are better locations they can build. "There are other locations that are by rail lines where, that are easy to get to and from that are not in such close proximity to so many houses," said Greenberg. Neighbors hope the company does move. "A company that can put dangerous chemicals in the air and syrup all over your house probably shouldn't be this close to neighborhoods," said Nitzken. Mayor Greenberg also announced a phone number and email for residents who have questions following the explosion:1-800-856-3333Communitysupport@ddwcolor.comHe said to reference "DDW" or "Givaudan" when calling.Givaudan will be hosting a community meeting at United Crescent Hill Ministries (150 State Street) on Monday at 6 p.m.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. —
Two days after the Givuadan Sense Colour plant exploded, families in the Clifton neighborhood remain shaken.
Hannah and Dan Nitzken say they were home when it happened.
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"I mean it hit you in your chest, the pressure from this blast was horrifying," said Hannah.
"And the emotional toll this takes on families to not feel safe in their homes after an explosion like this cannot be understated," she added.
They remember last October when a thick film covered neighboring homes and cars after food coloring escaped from the plant.
'Sad and confusing': Neighbors forced to move after Louisville plant explosion damages homes
But they didn't know about the prior explosion in 2003.
After that explosion, which killed one person, the plant was rebuilt and expanded.
But the couple says they don't want to see that happen again, at least not here.
"We would not be interested in seeing them doing anything that would remotely come close to exploding near our homes ever again," said Hannah.
"It seems highly dangerous to have something like that in a residential neighborhood," said neighbor Michael Scroggins, who lives just down the street from the explosion site.
So why is there an industrial plant in a residential neighborhood?
Previously known as D.D. Williamson, the plant has been in Clifton since 1948.
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On Wednesday, Councilman Andrew Owen said the zoning is grandfathered in.
"Something like this would not be legal today according to our zoning code but this company's been there for an awfully long time," he said.
But, can the zoning change?
The Metro Office of Planning says the property owner can initiate a change in zoning.
This would launch a process in which the Metro Council would vote to give final approval or denial.
A Metro Council spokesperson says in some situations, Metro Council can initiate a change, but it's typically done with area-wide changes to zoning and when the neighborhood agrees.
On Thursday, Mayor Craig Greenberg said he wants to see Givaudan stay in Louisville, but said there are better locations they can build.
"There are other locations that are by rail lines where, that are easy to get to and from that are not in such close proximity to so many houses," said Greenberg.
Neighbors hope the company does move.
"A company that can put dangerous chemicals in the air and syrup all over your house probably shouldn't be this close to neighborhoods," said Nitzken.
Mayor Greenberg also announced a phone number and email for residents who have questions following the explosion:
- 1-800-856-3333
- Communitysupport@ddwcolor.com
He said to reference "DDW" or "Givaudan" when calling.
Givaudan will be hosting a community meeting at United Crescent Hill Ministries (150 State Street) on Monday at 6 p.m.
