by Joseph Schultz
In a contentious public hearing Tuesday evening, neighbors came out in opposition to a proposed new gravel mine.
Great Lakes Excavating Service sought a special use permit for a gravel mine from the Dorr Planning Commission. The mine would be north of 142nd Avenue, between 21st and 22nd Street.
Great Lake’s plan to use 21st Street to truck the material out was the focus of most of concerns. Besides concerns that the truck traffic would damage the dirt road, most of the residents insisted that the intersection was too dangerous for the additional traffic.
Commissioner Larry Dolegowski agreed that the 142nd and 21st street intersection was, “a bad corner.”
With 22nd Street being a paved road, Great Lakes was asked why they were not using that one. A Great Lakes representative explained that the owner of the property, Johnathon Postma, did not grant them access to 22nd street. Postma, who was in attendance, stated that when the mining operation is completed, there will be a 4.5 acre lake on his property. He wants the lake to be private, and is concerned that if the trucks use a driveway to 22nd Street, the lake will be too visible from the road.
The Great Lakes representative told the commission that they would have five years to get the material out, but could do it sooner than that. It was dependent on how quickly they could sell the sand and gravel from the mine.
In response to residents’ inquiry, Chairman Dan Beute said that if the permit was granted, the hours of operation would be from dawn to dusk Monday through Friday, and dawn to noon on Saturday. They would not be allowed to operate on Sundays and holidays.
In the end, the Planning Commission decided to table the matter until next month’s meeting Tuesday, Dec. 16.
