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Commission approves interim use permit to expand gravel mine to 39 acres with 10‑year term and reclamation bond
Summary
Clay County planning staff recommended and the commission approved an interim use permit to expand an existing gravel mine from 30 to 39 acres; permit conditions include a 10‑year expiration, a reclamation bond (recommended $2,500 per acre), and alignment with prior conditional‑use permit conditions.
The Clay County Planning Commission approved an interim use permit to expand an existing gravel mine on parcel ID 11.018.0260 from 30 acres to 39 acres and attached conditions that align the interim permit with the site’s existing conditional‑use permit.
Staff member Matt described the location (about 4 miles north of County Road 26 near Felton Creek), the proposal to square up the existing footprint and open nine new acres, and reclamation plans to slope interior grades and return the land to agricultural use. He said depth to groundwater is about 42 feet and the National Wetland Inventory shows no wetlands in the mining area. Because the 30‑acre portion of the operation has a 2010 conditional‑use permit, staff recommended the interim permit mirror the CUP where practical.
Staff recommended adding an expiration date (10 years) for the interim permit, a reclamation bond calculated at an estimated $2,500 per acre, and conditions that clarify crushing, screening and washing as noise‑producing operations. Gooseberry Township provided comments but reported no objection; the township asked to coordinate on Saturday hauling restrictions.
Applicant Sherry Eilerton (environment and land manager, Moorhead office, for Wholesome) and operations manager Chris Forrest answered commissioner questions and confirmed processing would continue at the pit bottom to reduce offsite noise. Gooseberry Township supervisor Shelly Stegan spoke in support.
Commissioner Kurt Stubstead moved to approve the interim use permit with conditions 1–13; Ashley seconded. The motion carried by voice vote. The transcript records that the applicants indicated acceptance of the conditions before the vote. Staff noted that interim use permits differ from CUPs because interim permits have expirations; the conditional‑use permit for the prior 30‑acre operation stays on the record.
