Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Southampton supervisors approve Grama Construction sand-extraction permit over residents' objections
Summary
After a lengthy public hearing with dozens of residents raising environmental, traffic and cultural-resource concerns, the Southampton County Board of Supervisors approved a conditional use permit for Grama Construction to operate a borrow (sand) pit on Smiths Ferry Road.
The Southampton County Board of Supervisors voted to approve a conditional use permit for a sand-extraction operation on a 155-acre tract on Smiths Ferry Road, despite extended public opposition about flooding, water quality, air pollution and possible burial sites. The board's motion to accept the Planning Commission's recommendation carried after debate and a roll-call style tally; the outcome was approval.
The application, filed by Mitchell B. Grama and Alex J. Gray, sought permission to mine roughly 65 acres of the parcel for sand. Planner Jay Randolph told the board the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions on Feb. 13, 2025, by a 4–3 vote and included requirements for a paved, perpendicular commercial entrance, a 100–200-foot vegetated buffer, dust control and a dry-hydrant firefighting water source once a stable pond is formed.
Alex J. Gray,…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
