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Planning commission approves interim use permit for 38‑acre gravel mine in southeast Clay County
Summary
The Clay County Planning Commission approved an interim use permit allowing R.J. Zaval and Suns to operate a 38‑acre gravel mining and processing area at 1100 290th Street South. Commissioners attached conditions carried from prior permits and discussed dust control, reclamation bonding and limiting operations to the existing mining footprint.
The Clay County Planning Commission voted to approve an interim use permit that will allow the applicant R.J. Zaval and Suns to operate a 38‑acre gravel mine and processing area at 1100 290th Street South (parcel ID 24‑036.2500) in the southeast corner of the county.
County staff presented the proposal and a history of prior permits, telling the commission the site has multiple past approvals including 2009 and 2015 permits and a 2021 expansion that expired May 1. "This is a request for an interim use permit for mining," said county staff member Matt, who described the proposed site as within an existing mining footprint and noted overlay zoning for aggregate and resource protection. Staff said anticipated operations would include extraction, processing and limited washing that is not expected to exceed 10,000 gallons per day unless a DNR water‑appropriation permit is required.
The commission’s discussion focused on three practical concerns: protecting nearby residences from dust, ensuring prior areas are reclaimed, and aligning hours and conditions with previous permits. Matt told the commission Knife River — the current operator of adjacent ground — holds an active reclamation bond for the northern area that must be coordinated with the new permit. He said staff responds to dust complaints from residents or road travelers and inspects sites when notified.
Applicant project manager Tracer Bower, representing R.J. Zaval and Suns, said the company expects to maintain communication with neighbors and to follow required environmental controls. "We're just here today . . . seeking your approval for this interim use permit for an aggregate production facility," Bower said, adding the operator would work to coexist with adjacent landowners.
Neighbor comment reinforced the focus on dust control. Resident Chris Bang told the commission his group maintains a direct line of communication with nearby operators and said problems are typically resolved before escalating to county action: "We have a working relationship . . . we tell him whenever he's got a problem, we tell him to call us and we'll get—and Zaval's know about that."
After reviewing draft findings and conditions, and discussing a request to remove a staff‑suggested dumping cleanup condition because the landowner will address the material, Commissioner Jenny Mojo moved to approve the permit with the drafted conditions. The motion was seconded and carried; the commission closed the public hearing and approved the interim use permit.
The permit includes conditions adapted from previous permits, staff recommended matching operating hours to prior approvals, and commissioners asked for clarification of the exact northern boundary of the active mining footprint (staff noted a follow‑up site visit or staking could resolve that). Staff also noted the applicant estimated reclamation costs at $2,000 per acre and that phased reclamation and bonds are required.
The commission did not record a roll‑call tally in the minutes during the meeting; the minutes record that the motion carried. The county will follow up on boundary staking and continue to monitor dust complaints and reclamation progress.
