Pennington County panel delays decision on contractor storage yard tied to proposed Box Elder gravel mine after heavy public opposition

Pennington County Planning Commissioners voted May 12 to continue consideration of a conditional use permit for a contractor storage yard and gravel stockpiling site near Box Elder until the June 23 meeting so the application can be considered alongside a pending state mining permit.

The move followed more than two hours of public comment from Box Elder residents, city officials and nearby property owners who said heavy truck traffic, dust, noise and potential impacts on property values and wildlife made the proposal inappropriate so close to new housing and a school bus route. "It will reduce the value of real estate," said Randy Olivier, a commercial and residential broker who lives near the site. "If your property value decreases, your property tax decreases."

The Planning Commission's vote to defer was made to coincide with a separate mining hearing scheduled for June 23. Jason Fenneson, Assistant Planning Director, told commissioners the contractor storage application (CU25-0012)…