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Commission approves two conditional use permits, tables contested quarry expansion until Feb. 13
Summary
The county approved permits for a self‑serve fuel station and a wholesale lumber mill, and deferred action on a rock‑quarry expansion after public opposition; limited quarry activity was allowed pending additional documentation.
The Dickinson County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 9 approved two conditional use permits and temporarily delayed action on a contested rock‑quarry expansion after extended public comment.
The commission approved Planning Commission recommendations to grant CUP24‑07, a self‑service fuel station at the northwest corner of Highway 4 and Highway 15 (applicant Jason Hahn), with staff conditions that include coordination with the Kansas Department of Transportation and Kansas Department of Health and Environment for required approvals. The Planning Commission had recommended approval unanimously and the Board voted to approve on a voice vote.
The commission also approved CUP24‑08, a wholesale lumber mill proposed at 463400 Avenue (applicant Danny Bontrager). Staff noted a road‑maintenance agreement with the township and a requirement for signage directing truck traffic; commissioners voted to approve with the presented conditions.
Commissioners considered CUP24‑09, a request to expand a rock quarry at the southwest border of Section 1 (applicant David Walker and subcontractors, including Walker Stone/Barrick Construction). The Planning Commission had recommended approval with conditions including state registration, a dust‑abatement plan because the project lies within a quarter‑mile of a residence, a licensed surveyor’s site plan, and a reclamation bond acceptable to the county engineer and the state. Planning staff noted the state (Kansas Division of Conservation) typically issues reclamation bonding and licenses and that the state will generally approve site registration only after local approval.
The quarry item drew extended public comment. Neighbors raised concerns about groundwater, blasting, long‑term impacts on wells and property values, and whether prior quarrying or leases were properly documented in land records. The applicant and his contractors described prior operations in the area, said they had engaged state reviewers and monitoring (including hydrologists and seismographs for blasting), and offered to provide well testing and other assurances.
After discussion, the commission voted to table the quarry permit to the Feb. 13 meeting to allow time for state documentation and legal review. The commission also permitted limited ongoing activity at the site under the Planning Commission’s earlier recommended conditions (staff to confirm specifics), while reserving the right to require cessation if state approvals or documentation are not received. The motion carried on a voice vote; transcript records did not provide a roll‑call tally.
Ending: Planning staff will seek state documentation of site registration and reclamation bonding and return the item to the commission Feb. 13 with any additional conditions or legal guidance.
Note: The planning staff repeatedly requested that applicants furnish state approvals, dust control plans, updated well studies or baseline well testing, a reclamation bond and a road maintenance agreement as conditions of moving forward.
