Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Mineral Extraction topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission recommends conditional-use permit to expand Brownsville limestone quarry
Summary
The planning commission recommended the Houston County Board approve Skyline Materials’ conditional-use permit to expand a historic limestone quarry in Brownsville Township, with 10 standard conditions including MPCA permits, a financial surety, and highway access mitigation; the commission supported findings that the expansion meets county standards.
The Houston County Planning Commission voted to recommend approval of a conditional-use permit allowing Skyline Materials to expand a historic limestone quarry in Brownsville Township, subject to 10 standard conditions.
Chris Freebie, representing Skyline (G Cubed / Skyline Materials), told the commission the company bought about 8.5 adjacent acres to provide access to a rock face reached at the west boundary of a historic quarry. He said the expansion would not deepen the quarry beyond the elevation where saleable road rock is available; operations would continue in phases (not opening all acreage at once) and include ongoing reclamation as material is removed.
Staff read findings that the request conforms to the county land-use plan (recognizing the importance of aggregate for transportation and construction), that excavations are proposed above the water table, and that stormwater will be contained on the quarry floor. Highway department concerns about truck turning radii were discussed; the applicant agreed in writing to work with the highway engineer to widen the access radius where necessary.
A written comment from a neighboring landowner (included in the packet) raised concerns that the site had been inactive and partly reclaimed by vegetation and that reintroducing industrial quarrying could harm nearby residential and recreational uses; staff and the applicant responded that the quarry has historic activity and that the application includes MPCA stormwater and reclamation requirements, with financial surety. The transcript notes a required surety bond amount (not less than $15,000) for reclamation/financial assurance.
After reading conditions and findings, commissioners moved to recommend approval with the 10 standard conditions (including MPCA permits, financial assurance, blasting notification to the city, dust/noise controls, and road-access mitigation). A roll-call vote recorded all present commissioners voting 'aye' and the motion carried.
The commission's recommendation will be forwarded to the Houston County Board for final approval; staff noted conditions must be satisfied and permits secured prior to expanded operations.
