After three delays, a plan to mine gravel east of the old sugar factory in Sterling was approved by the Logan County Commissioners on Tuesday.
When the matter was last brought to them on Jan. 17, the board decided they wanted two more weeks to consider it given that it was the first meeting for Jerry Sonnenberg and Mike Brownell as new commissioners. Having had time to review all of the information, Tuesday the board unanimously granted a conditional use permit to Stratus Sterling and IHC Scott to mine gravel, sand and other aggregates from four pits between the city and the South Platte River behind the old sugar factory.
The mining will be done in four phases over 10 years. The mined material will be used locally and, once rail transport is re-established to the site, shipped out for use elsewhere. Stratus Sterling will extract about 250,000 tons of material per year until the rail line is established, when production would be doubled to a half-million tons per year. The gravel mining is necessary to provide cash flow for Stratus Sterling to develop the rest of the old sugar mill property.
Once the aggregate material is exhausted, the area will be fully reclaimed and possibly be converted to water storage.
Prior to approving the permit, despite having closed the public hearing at the Jan. 17 meeting, Chairman Sonnenberg reopened the hearing to give those who previously thought the matter was being decided on at a later date a chance to speak. Once again, opponents voiced concerns about water storage and the impact on the water table and the potential for nearby homes to see flooding in their basements as a result, something that has already happened in the past but has since been reduced since a groundwater pump station was installed.
Sonnenberg clarified that it is not yet known if there will ever be any actual water storage in those pits, as that is not part of this permit but is something the company has talked about potentially happening down the road. If they do want to do that they would have to go through a change of water right use or lease those pits
There was also concern about the heavy haul trucks crossing the intersection of Third Avenue, Iris Drive and Highway 6 and the damage it will cause to the road, as well as fertilizer runoff. Plus, opponents expressed frustration with the company's public forum on the project, calling it "very inadequately done." Jacob Wright told the board when the permit was originally tabled in December, nearby landowners were assured that there would be more public forums, after the first forum they were still left with questions and a follow-up question and answer session was "fairly lean on the information."
"We've been kind of blindsided to some extent, it feels like, with how quickly this is proceeding," he said.
Prior to the vote on the matter, Sonnenberg emphasized the conditions that are part of the permit resolution include remaining in compliance with Logan County zoning resolutions, all other federal, state and local rules and regulations; periodic reviews of ongoing compliance with such regulations, which would include air quality and water quality; and if any changes, alterations or enlargements occur to the permit it would still have to follow rules and regulations. He also noted this permit is for aggregate mining only.
Joe McBride added that he found that the proposed development is generally consistent with the vision, rules, objectives and policies contained in the last Logan County master plan. He noted that adequate measures will be taken to prevent or control nuisances related to the project and the proposed development is supported by the City of Sterling City Council, Logan County Economic Development Corporation and has been recommended for approval by the Logan County Planning and Zoning Board.
"This site has had a historical use of industrial and I am pleased that this company is exploring options to remove the old sugar factory and site cleanup," McBride commented.
He went on to note that no special equipment is required by staff, he was unable to locate evidence of dangerous dust or particulates and the addition of a berm on County Road 26 should alleviate some nuisance issues. Plus, he pointed out this project will help the community by adding an estimated 20 new jobs to the county.
In other business, the commissioners approved
• An application on behalf of Med-Evac for an ambulance license for ground transport of patients from Sterling Regional MedCenter to higher-level care facilities in the event that air transport cannot be used;
• A contract renewal between Logan County and Lumen for phone system support;
• A resolution for a subdivision exemption on behalf of Robert Mesch to create a 1.17-acre parcel from a 430-acre parcel;
• The renewal of a fermented malt beverage license renewal application on behalf of Spurz Grill, Inc.
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