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Neighbors and mine operator clash over early‑morning truck traffic; magistrate continues Lime Rock case 30 days
Summary
Residents showed video of trucks and heavy equipment at the Lime Rock mine as early as about 3:45 a.m.; the operator said most operations start later and offered signage and quieter alarms. The magistrate agreed to continue the case 30 days so parties can try to resolve gate access, truck staging and noise issues.
A special magistrate hearing in Alachua County on May 1 heard complaints from residents that trucks and heavy equipment at the Lime Rock mine were arriving and operating well before the county’s permitted hours. Neighbors presented time‑stamped video they said showed semi‑trucks entering the pit at about 3:45 a.m. and leaving by 5 a.m., and urged the county to enforce the code’s stated hours for mining and excavation.
Jeff Dollinger, attorney for the mine operator Limestone Products, told the magistrate the company had identified isolated instances when equipment or trucks arrived before the normal start time for special customer projects and that those would not be standard practice going forward. “We really have no control of when some customers’ truckers arrive, but we are willing to post signs and advise drivers of speed and noise concerns,” Dollinger said.
Paul Stokoe, the mine’s on‑site representative, said the gate typically opens at 5 a.m. and the mine’s excavation activity normally begins at 6 a.m. He said the operator would explore quieter backup‑alarm options and discuss staging procedures with customers. “We will do anything we can to improve the situation for the homeowners,” Stokoe said.
Resident Leslie Smith described safety and quality‑of‑life concerns, saying her property camera recorded trucks and equipment arriving around 3:45 a.m. and that queued trucks have blocked a private road, sometimes preventing residents from leaving. “One morning I was locked in,” Smith said. She asked the operator to ensure gate and traffic procedures do not block access for residents or emergency vehicles.
County staff and operators discussed whether the mine could open its gate earlier so trucks could stack on private property rather than on the road, and whether backup alarms or other mitigation could reduce early‑morning noise. Operators said some drivers are independent contractors hired by customers to pick up product and that the company lacks direct control over all arrivals, but that they can post signage and ask regular drivers to comply with speed and noise expectations.
Because both sides were present and the operator committed to trying short‑term fixes, county staff asked the magistrate to continue the case for 30 days to allow the parties to test measures and return with updates. The magistrate agreed to continue the matter for 30 days and asked staff to enter the residents’ photographs into evidence.
What happens next: The magistrate continued Case No. 25‑002726 for 30 days. County staff will work with the operator to document steps taken (signage, communication with customers, quieter alarms) and will bring the matter back to the special magistrate if complaints persist.
