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Board renews and amends conditional-use permit for Mark Sand & Gravel, allows portable hot-mix plant and extends depth condition
Summary
The board approved renewal and amendment of the county’s conditional-use permit for Mark Sand & Gravel, adding permission for a temporary portable hot-mix plant and adjusting an earlier depth condition; the board approved conditions as amended and removed the five-year renewal limit.
Koochiching County commissioners on June 24 approved an amendment and renewal of a conditional-use permit (CUP) for Mark Sand & Gravel Company, covering an approximately 80-acre quarry. The board also approved adding temporary portable hot-mix plant operations to the CUP and accepted amended operating conditions.
Planning and zoning staff said the original CUP was approved in 2010 and included conditions including a depth limit stated in the 2010 board file as 20 feet below ground level; planning staff recommended adjusting the locally approved condition to a 30-foot limit to ensure the quarry remains above the water table and to reflect current operations. The planning commission had held a public hearing June 12 and recommended the renewal with revised conditions.
Staff reported public comments raised concerns about truck traffic, noise (including engine braking), and dust control; the county engineer recommended that dust control be provided at the discretion of the county engineer. The permit includes standard quarry conditions: pre-blast surveys for houses and wells within a half-mile, neighbor notification before blasting, onsite runoff retention into settling ponds, repair of damage to County Road 89, and hours of operation (7 a.m.–7 p.m.; crushing/blasting 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.).
Commissioners discussed whether to impose a new fixed renewal term and noted that quarry operations and material life can span decades; the board voted to approve the amended conditions and renewal. The motion to approve the amendment and conditions as amended was made by Commissioner Erickson and seconded by Commissioner Hill; the motion carried by voice vote.
Planning staff and commissioners noted the applicant maintains a stormwater permit from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and that runoff will be directed to the existing settling pond on site. The board recorded the renewed CUP and the amended conditions.
