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Council approves conditional-use permit for noncoal surface mine at 28 Clay Road
Summary
After a public hearing and Planning Commission recommendation, the City of Saint Marys approved a conditional-use permit to expand a noncoal surface mine at 28 Clay Road; staff discussed DEP oversight and site restoration plans.
The City of Saint Marys City Council on Dec. 16 approved a conditional-use application to expand a noncoal surface mine on property at 28 Clay Road, following a public hearing and a Planning Commission recommendation.
Planning staff summarized the application and told the council the Planning Commission recommended approval at its Dec. 3 meeting and that the Zoning Hearing Board had granted variances for fencing, screening and landscaping on Nov. 20. The council opened a public hearing and recorded no public comments before closing the hearing and taking the vote.
Councilors asked questions about excavation depth and potential effects on public and private water supplies. Planning staff responded that excavation depth and impacts on water resources are governed by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and that the state's reclamation and restoration requirements apply. Planning staff also said the applicant's restoration plan envisions keeping the restored area level for use as a parking lot to serve a neighboring prison.
A concern about proximity to overhead power lines was raised; the transcript notes the applicant stated he had cleared the excavation extent with the power company. The zoning officer's initial denial of a zoning permit application was explained to the council as a procedural step: zoning permits for conditional uses are denied at the permit level because conditional-use approvals are made by the council.
Following the hearing, the council approved the conditional-use application by motion and voice vote. Planning staff said they would follow up to confirm DEP compliance and final restoration details as part of permitting.
