Buffalo County approves subdivisions, 120‑day tower extension and permits for quarry and concrete processing
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Summary
At its April 23 meeting the Buffalo County Board of Commissioners approved two subdivisions, extended a telecommunications tower permit, and granted special‑use permits for a sand/gravel quarry and crushed concrete processing with conditions including setbacks, signage and time limits.
Chairperson Ivan H. Klein presided over public hearings on multiple zoning and land‑use items and the board approved several actions affecting rural parcels across Buffalo County.
The most immediate action was approval of an administrative subdivision called “Reiters Corner.” Jacob Reiter of Olsson presented the application; after no public opposition the board adopted Resolution 2024‑13 approving the plat and finding it meets Buffalo County’s administrative subdivision standards.
The board then approved the final plat for the Roubicek Subdivision by Resolution 2024‑14. Mitch Humphrey, the land surveyor, reviewed prior relaxations previously granted (cul‑de‑sac length, street width and related setbacks). The board noted that one or more access easements do not meet county standards and will not be maintained by Buffalo County.
On a separate item, the board granted a 120‑day extension to the construction start date for an approved Special Use Permit to erect a 385‑foot guyed telecommunications tower on tax parcel 500197100. Agent Andrew Dewhirst and property owner Larry D. Wells asked for the extension; the board approved the extension under Resolution 2024‑15 and retained authority to revoke the permit if conditions or deadlines are not met.
County officials also approved two related mining and materials permits on tax parcel 520128000 owned by the Pamela Kim Triplett Revocable Trust. The board granted a special‑use permit to operate a sand/gravel quarry and a portable concrete production pit under Resolution 2024‑16; conditions include annual review, a four‑year limit on the portable concrete operation, 50‑foot setbacks from property lines, and required entry signage listing the operation address as 77 Odessa Road. A separate permit for crushed concrete processing and storage (Resolution 2024‑17) requires all concrete inventory be removed within five years, mandates road maintenance/improvement agreements for Wildwood Road, and the same setback and signage conditions.
In policy changes affecting future mineral extraction proposals, the board adopted zoning code amendments under Resolution 2024‑18 to add or clarify “mineral extraction” (including sand, dirt, gravel and quarries) as a permitted special use category across several districts. It also adopted amendments to Section 9.42 (Resolution 2024‑19) tightening notice requirements and deadlines for variance hearings (publication, adjoining‑landowner notice and property posting).
These approvals were coupled with standard permit conditions the board emphasized in each resolution: adherence to state and federal regulations, road access approvals from county or state engineers where appropriate, requirements for entry signage for emergency addressing, specified setbacks, and the county’s reserved power to revoke permits for noncompliance.
The actions taken will require applicants to complete site restoration after cessation of operations where mandated and, in some cases, to enter road maintenance agreements with Buffalo County to address impacts on county roads.
The board recorded each approval as a majority vote with the commissioners present voting in favor; the minutes list the applicable resolution numbers and conditions for record and compliance follow‑up.