The Stark County Planning and Zoning Commission voted Oct. 2 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit (CUP0325) for Fisher Sand and Gravel to operate a gravel pit with crushing and stockpiling in Sections 15 and 16 of Township 140 North, Range 95 West. The commission’s action was unanimous and will go to the county commission for final approval.

Ben Wallace, representing Fisher Sand and Gravel, said the pit would likely be adjacent to an existing operation. Stark County Weed Control Officer Travis Jepsen told the commission Fisher has worked with the county on weed-management plans for years and recommended folding this site into the company’s existing plan. "They're already super responsible with [their] weed management plan that they're currently using," Jepsen said.

Staff recommended approval subject to the conditions in the staff report, including a $100,000 bond for reclamation based on comparables from Dunn County; the applicant agreed to provide the bond after county-commission approval. The application described a total county-affected area of roughly 100–156 acres, with the active pit area approximately 41 acres.

The commission approved the staff recommendation on a roll-call vote, with the chair and all commissioners voting aye. The record shows staff reviewed the application against the zoning ordinance standards for excavation and conditional uses and identified minor engineering comments that the applicant addressed on the plat.