Kenny Cook, Miami County planning director, told commissioners that the Planning Commission recommended approval of an application by 18 80 Enterprises LLC to expand an existing quarry near Fontana and granted a conditional use permit (CUP) with revised conditions.

“The engineer determined based off of traffic volumes … nothing rises to the level to require any kind of improvements,” Cook said, summarizing a traffic study that found Hedge Lane already functions as a collector road and did not need turn or acceleration lanes. He said the Planning Commission removed the traffic‑improvement and maintenance agreement condition after reviewing the study.

Cook said the Planning Commission voted 6–1 to recommend the CUP; Commissioner Kitchen cast the lone negative vote. The commission adjusted wording of a standard condition so the CUP will be approved “exclusively for the applicant 18 80 Enterprises LLC,” and struck a sentence that had created ambiguity about change of ownership and review requirements.

The county and the applicant worked with attorneys on a mitigation plan and bonding; Cook said state requirements for remediation and bonding apply and the county modified permit language to preserve its authority to review remediation if conditions change. Cook said neighbors attended the Planning Commission meeting expressing concern about dust, noise and vibrations from blasting.

Conditions discussed and proposed for the CUP include a 20‑year term; a requirement that the quarry entrance be paved to Miami County commercial standards (from Hedge Lane to the commercial standard point); and operational measures to minimize debris tracked onto the road such as regular sweeping, watering or tire‑cleaning devices. Commissioners asked staff to present options to the applicant (for example mag chloride application, brushing/scrubber systems, sweepers, or extended paving) and to seek the applicant’s commitment to specific measures.

Cook said quarry operations would not include an asphalt batch plant or concrete processing under the proposed CUP; county regulations allow temporary asphalt/concrete plants only for specific road projects, which would require separate approval. Commission discussion also addressed hours of operation, with staff recommending limits on higher‑impact activity during daytime hours to reduce neighborhood impacts.

The planning commission recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of County Commissioners for a final decision; the item is scheduled for the July 23 meeting. No final county action was taken at the July 2 study session.

Neighbor concerns, staff conditions and the traffic study were central to the discussion; commissioners asked staff to pursue clearer, enforceable language on entrance paving and debris controls prior to final action.