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Lexington County planning committee asks staff to rewrite mining hours ordinance after industry request
Summary
County planning committee asked staff to draft amendments to the zoning ordinance to allow early truck loading at mining sites and return for formal readings after industry and nearby residents discussed options.
Lexington County planning committee on the record asked staff on Feb. 11 to draft amendments to the county zoning ordinance that would change hours of operation for large mining activities to allow trucks to be loaded before peak commuter and school traffic.
The committee’s request follows outreach from the mining industry and a neighborhood community action group near a quarry in the county’s rim area. "We had an inquiry from the mining industry itself regarding the current hours of operation for mining activities," said Robbie Derek, who introduced the item as a county staff presenter. Derek said the industry told staff Lexington County was likely the only local government in the state that maintained the current restrictive hours for some mining activities.
Committee members discussed a narrow proposal: forbid the intensive mining work itself before the current start time but allow truck loading and dispatch earlier so heavy vehicles clear roads before morning traffic. "They were asking us if we would consider letting the trucks be loaded. No mining operation going on until after 7, but let the trucks be loaded," Councilman Bridal said, adding that a community action group of nearby residents had met and "signed off on it" provided that no crushing or other noisy operations occur before the usual start time.
After discussion the committee made a formal request that staff return with proposed ordinance amendments for a first reading at a future meeting. Committee members were told the change would proceed through the county’s public hearing and three-reading process if council directs it. Planning staff said an ordinance number is already assigned for the amendment; text and the first reading will follow the committee’s next meetings.
The proposed change is limited in scope: committee members emphasized it would permit early truck loading only and not restart crushing or other mining operations earlier in the day. Staff said the amendment will be brought back for committee review and then proceed through the public hearing process and planning commission review as required.
The planning committee adjourned after directing staff to draft the ordinance text and bring it back for the committee’s consideration and first reading at a later meeting.
