WEIRTON — The city’s Zoning Board of Appeals, Tuesday, granted a conditional use permit for a proposed timbering project between a portion of Marland Heights and Freedom Way, but not without setting a few parameters.

Trumco Forest Products had made the request on behalf of Barone Realty Co. for a selective timbering operation on approximately 37 acres of property on the hillside between Marland Heights and Freedom Way. It was tabled by the Zoning Board in July after members heard from around 25 residents who expressed concerns over potential erosion on the hillside, as well as impacts to area wildlife and their own homes.

A public workshop then was held July 23, with two representatives of the West Virginia Division of Forestry speaking with approximately 20 residents to address some of their concerns.

“This is a two-step process,” explained Planning and Development Director Mark Miller, noting the Zoning Board approved the conditional use, but Trumco still needs to go through the process of obtaining a permit for the project.

In addition, he noted, residents have an option to file an appeal, through 1st Judicial Circuit Court, within 30 days of the decision.

Board Chair Bill Frohnapfel explained some of the conditions for giving their blessing to the project, including targeted trees being marked, periodic site visits from the Division of Forestry, making certain any area of potential erosion are avoided, providing a buffer of at least 30 feet to any neighboring property, restricting work hours to 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., posting no trespassing signage, and providing notification to the city before beginning the work.

“If any of these are violated, the city would revoke the permit,” Frohnapfel said.

A smaller group of residents were in attendance Tuesday, with three addressing the board.

Among those was Ward 5 Councilmember Brittany Holloway, who asked when the last time the property had been timbered was, noting she had heard it was around 30 years ago. She also pointed out some residents on neighboring properties had reported already seeing some signs of erosion near their properties.

Frohnapfel, though, said that was speculation, with Miller saying he was unsure if any records the city currently has would show it.

Luke Benson, of Trumco, suggested the state would have those details.

“They can reach out to the Forestry Department. They have all of that,” Benson said.

Resident Alison Miser referred to Marland Heights as “one big community” saying there are many who live in that part of the city who were unaware of the proposal, and it was unfair they weren’t notified. Miller previously reporting sending notices to those whose properties were next to the property being timbered.

Miser also suggested timbering would be detrimental to the local environment, taking away animal habitat, and removing screenings to winds and dust.

“I see no benefit to the city itself,” she said.

Gaston Blanc, meanwhile, asked if the city had consulted with the U.S. Army Corp. of Engineers concerning the project, saying their personnel would be better equipped to make recommendations against erosion.

For his part, Benson indicated his crews would work with the conditions being established by the city, reiterating he was only planning a selective cut timbering in the area, targeting approximately 10 percent, and doesn’t anticipate any additional issues.

“A lot of the concerns about erosion would only happen with clear cut and we’re not planning to do that,” he said, also noting his crews typically work between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., and not on weekends.