Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Excavation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Middlebury commission continues hearing on Trout Estates’ request to use on‑site crusher
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission continued a public hearing for Trout Estates Middlebury, LLC after hearing details about an on‑site crushing operation to process rock for a five‑lot subdivision; the applicant said most material will be used on site and that blasting and dust‑control plans and final contours must be provided before approval.
The Middlebury Planning and Zoning Commission on June 4 continued a public hearing on an application from Trout Estates Middlebury, LLC to temporarily use an on‑site crushing machine as part of construction for an already approved five‑lot subdivision.
Attorney Lauren Geary presented the special‑exception application and said the crushing operation would process rock and materials generated on site and that most processed material would remain on the property. The application states that if processing exceeds 1,000 cubic yards, "there will be bi‑weekly reports prepared and certified by the Trout Estates of Middlebury’s Engineer."
Dan Rotatori, representing Trout Estates, told the commission the project has extensive rock ledges and that crushing on site would reduce truck traffic, estimating that keeping and reusing crushed material would save "over 1,000 truck trips" that otherwise would be required to remove and later return material.
Members of the public asked about blasting. Jennifer Mahr asked whether pre‑blasting inspections would be done and what the blasting radius would be; Rotatori replied that pre‑blasting inspections are required and that D’Ambruoso Blasting Company will begin pre‑blasting inspections in a few weeks, "specifically planning to start the process during the first week of July." He said he believes the blasting radius is about 300 feet and estimated blasting would take "no more than a month and a half." Rotatori also said crushers bring their own water trucks and that Trout Estates would provide an on‑site water truck filled from a regional authority to maintain dust control.
Commissioners pressed for missing details. The chairman asked how the commission could approve a site plan without final contours and reminded the applicant that exceeding 1,000 cubic yards triggers the engineering reporting requirement. The commission listed the items it requires before further consideration: final contours, an hours‑of‑operation schedule for blasting, and a dust control plan.
A motion by Paul Anderson, seconded by Joseph Mancini, to continue the public hearing was passed unanimously; the hearing was continued to the commission’s July 2, 2026 meeting. No formal approval or permit for the crusher was granted at the June 4 meeting.
