Planning commission approves 10‑year interim permit to expand gravel mine near Felton Creek

The Clay County Planning Commission voted to grant an interim use permit allowing a gravel operator to expand an existing 30‑acre pit to 39 acres on Parcel ID 11.018.0260 in Gooseberry Township, about 4 miles north of County Road 26 near Felton Creek.

Planning staff (Matt, planning staff) told commissioners the application seeks to square up the existing footprint and open roughly 9 new acres for mining. Staff said prior variances were granted for setback intrusions and that the site has low topographic relief and a water‑table depth of about 42 feet. Staff recommended conditions that largely match the property’s existing conditional use permit, plus a 10‑year expiration for the interim permit and a reclamation bond sized at $2,500 per acre.

"The plan is to strip and stockpile topsoil, process material, and haul primarily on South 33 to South 26," planning staff said, adding the operator would return the site to agricultural use when mining ends. Gooseberry Township supervisor Shelly Steigen told the commission the township met with the company and "expects 0 problems" from the operation.

Commissioners discussed enforceability of hours (existing permits allow 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.), typical bond ranges, and consistency with comprehensive‑plan goals. Commissioner Kurt Stubbshead moved to approve the permit with conditions 1 through 13; the motion was seconded and carried. The interim use permit was granted and staff will document the required reclamation bond and conditions.

The commission’s approval includes the recommended expiration and bond; no formal numeric roll‑call was recorded in the transcript. The next procedural step is for staff to finalize permit paperwork and monitor compliance with the imposed conditions.