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Planning commission approves interim permit for 38‑acre gravel mine near Holly
Summary
The Clay County Planning Commission approved an interim use permit for a 38‑acre gravel mine at 290th Street South after a public hearing where staff described operations, reclamation plans and dust‑control procedures; the commission added conditions carried from prior permits and asked staff to coordinate reclamation responsibilities with current operators.
The Clay County Planning Commission voted to approve an interim use permit for R.J. Zaval & Sons to operate a 38‑acre gravel mine and processing area near Holly. Commissioner Jenny Mojo moved to approve the permit with the draft conditions presented by planning staff; the motion was seconded and carried.
Planning staff presented the application and map, saying the request would confine extraction and processing to an existing footprint and operate seasonally. “They’re seeking at times from March to December, Monday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.,” the planner explained while describing proposed materials (hot‑mix asphalt aggregates, concrete aggregates and riprap) and on‑site washing expected not to exceed 10,000 gallons per day unless a DNR water appropriation permit is required.
The staff presentation reviewed the property’s permit history, noting earlier CUPs and interim use permits dating to 2009, 2015 and 2021, and described site features including two access points, phased mining, stockpile and washing areas and an existing berm. Staff also emphasized reclamation and bonding: Knife River currently holds a bond for earlier work on part of the property and staff recommended coordination among operators to ensure there are no gaps in reclamation responsibility.
Commissioners pressed staff on boundary and reclamation questions. The planner said much of the north portion of the parcel has already been mined and reclaimed and that staff would work with the applicant and the prior operator to clarify the northern pit boundary, possibly by staking the line on site. On enforcement, staff described dust control procedures: complaints from nearby residents or road users prompt inspections and, if necessary, a requirement that the operator apply dust mitigation.
Applicant project manager Tracer Bower told the commission they had experience working with nearby landowners and environmental compliance. “We’re just here today … seeking your approval,” Bower said, and said R.J. Zaval & Sons expects to “coexist and maintain a good relationship with everybody involved.” A nearby operator, Chris Bang, testified that he maintains a working relationship with the adjacent resident and that operators typically notify each other when dust control is needed.
After discussing findings of fact and draft conditions largely carried from prior permits, the commission voted to approve the interim use permit with the conditions as noted. Staff said it will follow up on a question about the expiration period of a related asphalt plant permit in Hagen Township.
The permit is subject to the standard interim‑use conditions discussed at the hearing, coordination on northern boundary staking or mapping as feasible, and the county’s normal reclamation and bonding requirements.
