Some residents of West Roanoke County say they are worried about odors, dust, noise and traffic from a proposed asphalt plant on U.S. 11/460 -- concerns the developer says are unfounded and based on stereotypes from decades ago.

The plant would be a redevelopment of sorts, using Salem's former Glenvar water treatment plant property at 4127 W. Main St. -- a 15-acre site in Roanoke County.

Adams Construction Co. is already working to allay nearby residents' fears by contacting some in person and by planning a "community meeting" Thursday night at 6 p.m. at Glenvar Middle School to explain its plans and answer questions.

Rick James, Adams Construction's executive vice president, is working to counter what he says are misconceptions about modern asphalt plants.

"Our biggest hurdle is the perception issue," he said.

James said modern equipment and stringent regulation by agencies such as Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality and the federal Environmental Protection Agency make the facilities safe.

The plants can mitigate odors created by the liquid asphalt used as the binder in the process, James said, with an additive. An "oxygen scavenger mixes in and neutralizes" the asphalt scent and leaves "a hint of pine smell."

"I won't say there won't be any smell," he said, but contended it would be unobtrusive.

The more difficult problem for the company, he said, is "particulate matter" or the dust generated from transporting and drying the solid materials added to the liquid asphalt to make material suitable for paving highways.

He said the company plans to use the buildings on the site, once used for treating drinking water, to contain the aggregate or stone used in the process. Storage areas are carefully monitored, and a "bag house" would be 99.5 percent efficient in trapping and filtering dust, he said.

The site, which would add five to eight new employees for the 600-employee company, was one of 11 the firm considered, James said. It was chosen in part because of its industrial zoning and its proximity to U.S. 11/460 and Interstate 81.

James said there's a clear purpose for the plant: His company expects to bid on projects along both those highways in coming years, he said, and asphalt must be produced near enough to use while it is still hot from the plant.

Despite the state's current budget woes, a major expansion of U.S. 11/460 is still scheduled to be let out for bids by the Virginia Department of Transportation this summer, said Philip Thompson, Roanoke County's deputy director of planning.

Thompson said Adams Construction has submitted plans to meet the county's special regulations for asphalt plants, including compliance with noise and pollution regulations.

Obviously, Thompson said, "nobody wants an asphalt plant in their back yard," but he said that a January trip to the company's Bonsack plant indicated minimal odors there.

However, the plant was not in full operation at that point, because asphalt manufacturers close down for the winter in cold-weather regions.

Thompson also noted that placing asphalt storage equipment in the Glenvar site's solid concrete bunkers could minimize spill hazards.

"Like anything, it's a land-use issue where the boards will have to take everything into consideration and factor in" what is the best use of the site. It's up to the petitioner -- in this case, Adams Construction -- to convince them and the neighbors of that, he said.

While there appear to be plenty of questions brewing in nearby neighborhoods about the proposed plant, at least one of the closest neighbors said last week she doesn't have a problem with the plan.

"We're really not objecting to it," said Vivian Martin, who lives on Crossmill Lane, within sight of the property and less than a block away.

After receiving a visit from an Adams Construction company officer, she said she was "more or less" satisfied that the company would take care of any odors or other potential pollution problems.

Although she said she hadn't talked about it yet to her neighbors -- there are about a half-dozen houses on the short dead-end street -- "we're not signing a petition or anything" yet.

She said she hopes to learn more at Thursday's meeting.

Last week, abutting property owners received letters informing them of the community meeting, which will also be attended by representatives of the county's department of community development.

Almost as soon as Rachel Doyle received her letter, she said she was on the phone to her neighbors to see if they shared her concerns. She said she was dismayed to find, however, that most hadn't received a letter. Doyle's property is directly behind the parcel Adams Construction wants rezoned, although it is separated from it by I-81.

State law requires that notification of rezoning meetings go only to the owners "of all abutting property and property immediately across the street or road." There are no requirements for notification of an informational meeting such as the one Thursday.

Although the notification was sent on Roanoke County letterhead, this meeting is sponsored by the developer, not the county, according to those involved.

"I don't know why they didn't mail it to everybody" who lives around her, Doyle said, including in the nearby Cherokee Hills subdivision. "I feel like something like this needs to be in the paper, to let people know. The county just wants to throw it at us," without notifying everyone who might be affected, Doyle said.

Adams Construction, through its landholding subsidiary, Foxhall Properties LLC, is asking Roanoke County to rezone a portion of the old treatment plant property for high-intensity industrial use.

The company is also seeking a special-use permit to allow a plant to mix asphalt. Adams Construction's primary business is the sale and application of asphalt.

The county's planning commission is scheduled to consider the company's requests Feb. 3, and the county board of supervisors on Feb. 24.

Salem still owns the property, and details on the sale price that Adams Construction is negotiating have not been disclosed yet. The property is assessed for tax purposes at about $1.5 million, according to Roanoke County real estate data.