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 Additionally, the Commission discussed the continuing work on the
bicycle trail plan being developed.
Land Rezoning
Doug Muck was present at the Commission meeting to present
information on a proposed rezoning of land from Ag, Special District
to M-3 Extraction. The land in question is located near the
intersection of 900E and 1500N on the north side of Salt Creek. It
measures roughly 169 acres.
In 2012, Muck applied for and was granted a rezone request on land
near the property. Since that time, the application has been held up
in the state court system due to an appeal.
Muck said there are verified limestone deposits in that area. “There
is likely stone much closer to the surface than on the south side of
the creek,” said Muck.
Muck also said that due to breaks in the levy in the area, the land
is prone to flooding, and that it is farther away from the Mahomet
aquifer than the previous application. Muck said that as part of the
previous request, the location of the aquifer was a concern to
people. Additionally, Muck said that other parcels nearby are also
zoned M-3.
Muck said that currently, there are no solid plans on who would
operate a new mine. Muck said he has spoken with several companies,
as well as considered opening the business himself. “We have a huge
need for it. Farmers need it, and we have a huge cost (fuel and
trucking) to bring it (limestone from other locations) in,” said
Muck. Limestone is also needed for roads and highways, as well as
construction projects.
“I think this is all consistent with the Logan County directives for
growth,” said Muck. Muck also said he has been talking with nearby
landowners over the past few months to make sure concerns are
addressed, and will continue to do so for several months.
Jim Fuhrer asked how many jobs Muck thinks this could create. Muck
said that he imagines a new limestone mine would need around twenty
jobs, or maybe more. Muck also said he would try to reach out to
miners from the area who worked at the previous mine.
Bret Aukamp said that at this point in the process, Muck would only
be granted a rezoning by the county, but not permission to mine. Due
to recent changes in the county ordinances, mining is now applied
for as a conditional use permit in addition to rezoning.
“This would be changing it to M-3, but not necessarily giving the
green light for mining,” said Aukamp.
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The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend the rezoning
of the land to M-3. The Zoning Board of Appeals will hear on this
issue before potentially sending their recommendation to the County
Board this month.
Bicycle trail plan
The Commission is still waiting on IDOT to approve of the planning funds that
were granted earlier in the year. The Commission intends to use these funds for
Farnsworth (an engineering group working on the bicycle trails) to begin working
on bicycle trail markings this summer. It was decided in March to use some of
the Commission’s fund balance to begin the work.
Initially, the Commission had decided to limit their spending to $5,000. As IDOT
has still not signed off on the funding, the Commission considered increasing
their limit for the time being. Several Commission members expressed a desire to
see the project move forward, as the only thing they are waiting on is the
signature from IDOT.
“I think we’ve had a lot of people who have looked for years for something to
happen, and I think it’s time that we make it happen, and not let the money just
sit in the bank,” said Bill Graff.
A motion was made by Fred Finchum, and the Commission members voted unanimously
to increase their spending limit for the project to $8,000. The issue may be
voted on again next month if IDOT does not act in that time.
Commission members present were Chairman Bill Graff; Jim Fuhrer, Bret Aukamp,
Fred Finchum, Andy Anderson, Jan Schumacher, Blair Hoerbert and Jim Vipond,
along with new member Becky Werth. Martha Neitzel was present as a temporary
member filling in for Keith Snyder. Logan County Zoning Officer Will D’Andrea
was also present.
[Derek Hurley] |
