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Neighbors raise concerns about quarry expansion; staff reviewing tree removal, dust and noise complaints
Summary
Planning staff told commissioners that residents in Lakewood Ranch have complained about an expanding quarry, tree removal and potential dust/noise impacts. Staff said no local code requires tree preservation at the site and that they are reviewing complaints and an inspection schedule approved by council in 2020.
Residents of the Lakewood Ranch subdivision have contacted city staff about an expanding quarry and the removal of trees, Planning and Development Director Bridal Chandler said at a Temple Planning and Zoning Commission work session.
Chandler said staff are compiling a response for neighbors and reviewing whether there are enforceable dust or noise complaints. "They continue to operate legally as far as we know, but there are complaints just about their continued expansion, trees coming down," Chandler said.
Chandler told commissioners that the city currently has no local code requirement that would force the quarry owner to preserve those trees. Staff recalled that the City Council approved a revised inspection schedule for the quarry in 2020 and said they are reviewing that schedule and other compliance materials. Chandler said the update to the Unified Development Code (UDC), which the city is preparing, will include community meetings that provide another opportunity for neighbors to express opinions about regulations.
Commissioners and staff discussed whether the inspection schedule is annual and whether the fire marshal or other officials inspect emergency-access infrastructure elsewhere (for example, gated emergency-entry systems). Chandler said staff will follow up with more details for the neighbors who have inquired.
Chandler also noted that the quarry property has had developer interest in the past and that a broker out of Dallas had marketed the site; she said she did not know whether the property remains on the market and that potential redevelopment would likely be a longer-term prospect.
