Winchester commission renews Mountaintop Trucking excavation permit

The Winchester Planning & Zoning Commission voted Feb. 9 to renew the special permit for excavation at the Mountaintop Trucking LLC site on Corbook/Colbrook River Road.

The applicant representative told the commission the quarry has been operating for decades and that "we're taking about 42,000 yards a year out of the quarry," and that operations, hours and the processing footprint will remain largely unchanged. The representative added the work includes benching the main rock face and staged blasting, and that each blast is permitted through the fire marshal's office.

Commissioners asked about updated plans and surveys; staff said an updated contour map may be required on renewal at the commission's discretion and noted the last detailed survey for this site dated to 2021. Commissioners also discussed how frequently a renewed permit should require fresh survey work, with staff recommending case‑by‑case review based on the quantity removed since the last survey.

A draft motion read into the record said the commission relied on applicant information and reserved authority to modify, suspend or revoke the permit if the material facts prove false or incomplete. The motion was moved, seconded and approved by roll call as recorded in the meeting; the commission then authorized the chair to sign the permit paperwork.

Why it matters: the renewal confirms long‑term excavation activity at a town site and preserves local oversight conditions — including the option to demand updated surveys — while noting that blasting notifications and permits are handled by the fire marshal.

What's next: the permit was approved and signed; staff will retain application documents and implement any follow‑up monitoring or survey requirements spelled out by the commission.