Park County planners tell applicant to seek amended SUP for temporary asphalt plant

Anthony Jolovich asked Park County commissioners on Feb. 3 to amend Special Use Permit 256 to allow a temporary hot-mix asphalt plant on his property to support resurfacing of the Cody–Powell Highway. "We would produce approximately 35,000 tons of hot mix asphalt," Kim Wilson, general manager of Mountain Construction Company, told the board, saying the work would take about three weeks and was expected to start in June or after July 5 if necessary.

Joy, the county planning director, told the commissioners that while asphalt production is listed under the definition of a large rock-products mine, Jolovich’s original SUP did not include an asphalt plant. "If they want to change that, then we require an amended SUP," she said, adding that she did not consider the addition a "minor change" given the public input at the original hearing and the potential impacts. She recommended the applicant file an amended SUP and said the department could move the amendment process as quickly as notice rules allow.

County staff and several commissioners discussed truck traffic, odors, and air-quality oversight. Planning staff cited an estimate that the plant could generate 1,600 additional truck trips; Mountain Construction disputed that figure, saying material must be hauled from the site regardless of plant location. "No matter what, there's we're gonna take that gravel from this site this summer," Wilson said.

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) requires a separate air-quality permit for a batch plant; Jolovich’s team said they have the necessary portable permits for similar operations and that DEQ will not issue a new permit without county sign-off. Planning Director Joy called the county's review and a public hearing the appropriate venue for resolving neighborhood concerns.

Commissioners urged Jolovich and Mountain Construction to start the amended-SUP process promptly to meet the contractor’s timeline. The meeting record shows no board action approving an immediate, one-time cover letter; instead, the planning director offered to begin the amendment process, which requires neighbor notice and at least one public hearing. The applicant and contractor said they would pursue the amendment and the DEQ permit.

Next steps: the applicant is expected to file for an amended special-use permit with the planning department; the county will follow its notice requirements and hold a public hearing as required by the code.