![\"J7](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/FTW_ConcretePlantopposition.jpeg\" "\\"J7")
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J7 Ready Mix of Alvarado lost its bid for an air quality permit to build a concrete batch between Burleson and Mansfield, in unincorporated Tarrant County.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Bob Booth<\/p>\n
Bob Booth<\/p>\n
A grassroots group of residents who fought a years-long battle against a concrete batch plant locating near their homes and schools won a major victory Wednesday, Oct. 21, when the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ruled to dismiss an air quality permit that would have allowed the company to build the plant.<\/p>\n
The permit application from J7 Ready Mix was denied with prejudice during a hearing in Austin. J7 Ready Mix of Alvarado had applied for an air quality permit to build a concrete batch plant at 5428 East FM 1187, between Burleson and Mansfield, in unincorporated Tarrant County.<\/p>\n
Brandon McElroy, who founded the nonprofit Green Air Solutions to lead the fight against J7, said in an interview that the denial was a decisive win.<\/p>\n
The permit was denied with prejudice, which means that J7 cannot build in that location. The location is 600 feet from a future intermediate school and 2,600 feet from a future high school in the Mansfield school district<\/a>.<\/p>\n McElroy lives on a quiet cul-de-sac near Rendon, between Mansfield and Burleson.<\/p>\n Stop the Ready Mix Facebook<\/a> group posted on its Facebook page: \u201cThis fight was never just about one concrete plant. It was about protecting our families, our property, our air quality, and the future of our community.\u201d<\/p>\n In September of 2023<\/a>, McElroy grew curious about a building that was under construction near his backyard.<\/p>\n He started digging and investigating and learned the company did not follow the proper procedures for publishing public notices and for providing a copy of the permit application for the public to see.<\/p>\n Tarrant County Fire Marshal Randy Renois told the Star-Telegram at the time that the company began construction without a building permit.<\/p>\n McElroy said that he and his neighbors held fundraisers to pay their legal costs, which are now approximately $100,000.<\/p>\n He also said that Rep. David Cook of Mansfield was instrumental in helping residents by finding locations for auctions and providing other support.<\/p>\n Although McElroy said the fight against J7 is over, he is now dealing with a steel company that purchased land behind his home to build an I-beam plant.<\/p>\n \u201cAt this point, you might as well move in to the city,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n