Correction: June 3, 2026: 5:20 p.m.: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Aaron Kappler’s name.
Richmond Hill officials made it clear at a packed meeting on Tuesday that a proposed nickel refinery doesn’t have a clear path to operate at the site it’s been eyeing.
By a unanimous vote the council affirmed that “the refining of nickel, cobalt, or other heavy metals through carbonyl or other processes are not permitted within the level two PUD (planned unit development).”
Oklahoma-based Westwin Elements has proposed a controversial nickel refinery at the Belfast Commerce Park site previously occupied and still owned by Caesarstone, a subsidiary of the Israel-based countertop manufacturer. Westwin began negotiating with state and local development authority leaders in 2022.
But once the proposal became public, the community rallied against it, showing up in the hundreds to a company-sponsored town hall in February to denounce the plan, which company founder and chief executive KaLeigh Long boasted was “90% complete.” The Development Authority of Bryan County voted Feb. 10 to formally end negotiations with Westwin Elements.
Around that time, Richmond Hill’s planning and zoning director Brian Crooks determined that Westwin’s intended plan to refine nickel was a not a permitted use at that site, and sent the company a letter to that effect.
Caesarstone appealed Richmond Hill’s zoning decision. Since that appeal was filed, however, the company has negotiated with Bryan County attorney Aaron Kappler. He presented the results of that negotiation to the council for approval on Tuesday. Caesarstone did not send a representative to the meeting.
Caesarstone agrees that zoning administrator Crooks was correct in finding that nickel and cobalt refining are not permitted uses on that property, Kappler said. He asked the council to reaffirm Crooks’ prior zoning ruling and make explicit a clarification about refining metals on the site:
“The refining of nickel, cobalt, or other heavy metals through carbonyl or other processes are not permitted within the level two PUD,” Kappler said. “I recommend you’ll make a motion in accordance with those terms that would end this appeal.”
The board voted unanimously to accept the Caesarstone proposal that Kappler delivered. Council member Van Hunter recused himself “upon legal advice from the city’s counsel” and did not vote.
City Council’s action doesn’t rule out forever the possibility of a nickel refinery at the Belfast Commerce site. It does mean, though, that moving forward with a refinery there would require rezoning, a process that includes a public hearing and public input.
“None of those metal, heavy metal refining processes are permitted,” Kappler said. “They’re prohibited unless they were to come before y’all for a rezoning.”
Kappler was previously authorized to act as special counsel to the city in conducting an environmental investigation of the Caesarstone site after Westwin executive Long alleged the site is polluted with silica dust, arsenic and unidentified other hazardous materials. That environmental investigation is still ongoing, Kappler told the council.
Westwin Elements did not respond to a request for comment.
It was standing room only in the Richmond Hill City Hall, with more residents listening from just outside the doors that closed when the room reached capacity.
Residents who attended the meeting expressed satisfaction with the outcome.
“We are very, very happy with the results tonight,” said Karen Hewitt. “And almost all of the city of Richmond Hill is happy about tonight.”
“They were spot on in their interpretation,” Richmond Hill native Angie Foss chimed in.
Environmental advocacy nonprofit One Hundred Miles sent the mayor and city council
After the meeting, North Coast Advocate Jeff Beauvais, who authored the letter, praised Richmond Hill.
“It’s the outcome we wanted, a lot easier than we thought it would come,” he said. “I think it’s really good that the city has the conviction to uphold its zoning laws and trust the decisions of their staff, and this was the correct decision for them to make.”
The Tide brings regular notes and observations on news and events by The Current staff.
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