Gravel processor urged to be good neighbor
Lyon County Board OKs conditional use permit for Action Rocks
Trending
MARSHALL -- The Lyon County Board on Tuesday voted to approve a conditional use permit for Action Rocks, LLC on property just north Russell to process sand and gravel. However, the action followed commissioners sharing concerns over dust control and being a good neighbor.
Those concerns ultimately led to Commissioner Thomas Andries calling for a roll call vote and then voting no. The conditional use permit was approved on a 4-1 vote.
Planning and Zoning Administrator John Biren went before the board to present details of the request filed by Jim Swenson of Action Rocks and answer questions from the commissioners.
"It's a parcel a little bit smaller than five acres. It was previously owned by Ted Anderson of Marshall Sand and Gravel. I don't remember the last time it's been operated," Biren said.
He said communication was made with the city of Russell, which expressed a concern over the condition of one of the nearby roads. Because the road is "in very poor condition," Biren said Swenson agreed to use another route. The affected township also offered its support of approving the permit request.
"The planning and zoning board did come up with some conditions and I feel pretty good about them," Biren said.
He also stressed to the owner the importance of being a good neighor.
"I'm going to echo what John (Biren) said. He talked about being a good neighbor and Mr. Swenson needs to know that he need to be a good neighbor," Commissioner Gary Crowley said. I do not want to get the phone calls that I did from the previous one that we permit him to have. I understand the need. We have a need for this stuff … I hope that he gets the message."
Biren said conditions were added to the permit after receiving a letter from residents that live near the property.
Commissioner Rick Anderson asked Biren about dust control.
"I'd be surprised if there's dust control. I know there isn't on County Road 59, but County Road 59 has been used by a lot of recovery haulers. It's been a dusty mess out there," Biren said.
Commissioner Paul Graupmann shared his experience he had traveling on that road two weeks ago.
"I pulled over and it's like, I had to wait because I couldn't see. I was going down the curve toward the bridge. I couldn't see anything. I had to wait for a gap between trucks and dust to settle," he said.