 The primary topic of discussion was the final vote on a land
rezoning issue. A large crowd was present in the third-floor
courtroom to hear the board's decision.
The land in question, measuring 280 acres and bordered by 900th
Avenue and 1400th Street, is owned by Doug Muck and his sister,
Kaellyn Arch. The applicants ask that the land be rezoned in order
to allow mining for limestone.
Before the vote was taken, a small amount of time was given to
anyone who wished to say anything further on the matter.
Todd Turner, attorney for the nearest adjacent property owner,
Blane Olson, made a brief comment to the board. Turner reminded
board members that if they feel they do not have enough information
in front of them for the vote at hand, they retain the right to vote
"no."
"As you know, no contract has to be signed with a mining company,
but if you feel like you need information to make an informed
decision and you don't have that information to make that decision,
it is within your right to vote ‘no,'" said Turner.
Doug Muck spoke after Turner. Muck reiterated that he feels he
has provided adequate research and data to show that the land is
suitable for this purpose. Muck also repeated that the mine would be
a great asset to the community and that the benefits would outweigh
any detriments.
Muck also said he has spent many hours researching the issues
that have been brought up by the neighbors to the property, and he
has taken steps to deal with these issues.
"The big issue that seems to have come about is water. So my
sister and I have talked, and I would like to announce that we
volunteered to create an emergency water provision trust," said
Muck. He said that $10,000 has been placed into it, and $5,000 will
be put into it by Muck and Arch every year for the first eight years
of operation.
"We also suggest that other landowners whose land is mined
subsequently also donate to that trust when the time comes so their
neighbors are protected. That's where we are, folks. We are so
serious about this, we're putting our money where our mouth is,"
said Muck.
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A total of $50,000 would be available to draw on should the
neighbors need access to a new source of water and Hanson does not
provide aid quickly enough. Muck said he has provided instruction
that should the income generated by the fund not be needed, it would
be donated to the Logan County Food Pantry or some other community
cause. The landowners would not be asking for that money back.
Muck also told the board he had received the final draft of the
proposed contract with Hanson Materials that morning. Muck said he
and his sister have agreed to every final detail. Arch, Muck's
sister, is in town for the holiday season, and so they are hoping to
sign the final draft before the holidays have passed.
A roll call vote was taken. Due to a petition that Olson filed
with County Clerk Sally Litterly, a three-quarters vote of the
entire board -- 12 members -- was necessary, meaning nine votes were
needed to make a decision.
With 11 members present, the result was a 10-1 vote in favor of
rezoning the land, with Andy Anderson making an emphatic pause
before his "yes" and Gene Rohlfs voting "no."
Board members present for the meeting were Robert Farmer,
chairman; David Hepler, vice chairman; Andy Anderson; Rick
Aylesworth; Kevin Bateman; Bill Martin; Pat O'Neill; Gene Rohlfs;
Terry Carlton; Chuck Ruben; and Andy Meister. Jan Schumacher was
absent, as she was attending her daughter's college graduation in
West Virginia.
[By DEREK HURLEY]
Articles on rezoning
request
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