Commission approves five-year interim permit for gravel operation near Freeport with reclamation condition

The Stearns County Planning Commission on Aug. 28 approved an interim use permit allowing a gravel-mining operation on roughly 8 acres of a 20-acre parcel near Freeport, with several conditions intended to limit environmental and traffic impacts. The permit was approved for five years, running through Dec. 31, 2030, and includes nine conditions: hours of operation limited to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday (no Sundays or federal holidays); posting truck-hauling signage during hauling; an informational sign at the entrance listing the property owner and phone number; a gate at the entrance; submission of a written agreement with Crane Township addressing road maintenance (the township may require its own financial guarantee); a financial guarantee for reclamation (county staff recommended $6,500 per acre, which would total $52,000 for the eight-acre area); compliance with all standards in section 7.17 of the zoning ordinance; and a newly added condition that all…