Planning board recommends denial of Tripp sand‑mine rezoning after residents raise water, noise and cemetery concerns

The Pitt County Planning Board on an acting‑chair vote recommended denying a rezoning request by applicant Bobby Tripp to allow a sand mine on an 85.35‑acre parcel (parcel 66309) on the south side of Grama Horn Road near its intersection with Cherry Lane Road.

Planning staff presented the request as a rezoning from Rural Agricultural (RA) to Rural Agricultural Conditional District to permit mining on about 25 acres of the property and said the proposal included a 6‑foot berm for screening, a proposed paved driveway for the first 200 feet off Rams Horn Road, and proposed hours of operation of 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Staff recommended approval with conditions including a site plan, state mining and erosion permits, a 50‑foot riparian buffer on streams unless exempted, and a 10‑foot easement for access to a small family cemetery on the site.

The board heard more than a dozen public comments. Neighbors cited concerns about groundwater and well water, truck traffic and road impacts, noise, property values and protection of the on‑site cemetery.

"My…