The Whitewright Planning and Zoning Commission has rejected Martinek Grain and Bins’ requests to install tanks for liquid fertilizer storage. The announcement follows local residents opposing the suggested build due to safety concerns.
The Herald Democrat reported that Mark Millar, Martinek General Manager, addressed this concerns in a presentation: "This is not an explosive product — I know everybody since West blew up — when you hear fertilizer, everybody just freaks and I understand that," Millar said. "But this liquid fertilizer is not volatile. It's a liquid that's 68% water, and the other part is a little bit of nitrogen."
The tanks were planned to contain urea ammonium nitrate solution and ammonium polyphosphate.
Martinek manages grain elevators in the 100 block of East Locust, the 100 block of East Walnut, the 100 block of East Elm and the 100 block of East Cedar and a feed store at 117 E. Elm St. in the city.