The proposed pit is in a quiet residential area on North Star Road, and residents want no part of it
IRONWOOD TWP -- No new gravel pit in Ironwood Township. That's the decision of the Ironwood Township Planning Commission. Contractors say they need the gravel pit and point to a new state law citing gravel pits cannot be prevented unless they prove to cause serious consequences. The proposed pit is in a quiet residential area on North Star Road, and residents want no part of it.
"Please do not turn our retirement years of not being able to enjoy our home."
Franny Voyce planned a quiet retirement on her peaceful North Star Road property, but she feared a proposed gravel pit would crush not only rock, but also her dreams. The pit would be within 100 feet of her property.
"Why do we have to give this enjoyment up for our family, for our grandchildren?" asked Voyce.
More than 50 township residents attended last night's public hearing. They wanted to prove the gravel pit would cause serious consequences to their community.
"Very serious consequences, that's what the state wants us to prove," said Ron Pelkola. "Dust pollution--that's very serious consequence--it's a health hazard. Noise pollution, machinery, crushers, exceeding 65 decibels."
And it's not just the close proximity to their properties that have neighbors reeling over the gravel pit, it's also the number of gravel pits already in their area. There are currently 38 gravel pits already in Ironwood Township, 16 of which are active, including this gravel pit behind me which is also on North Star Road.
Snow Country Contracting says they would set stringent hours and regulations to avoid serious consequences. They say the pit would benefit, not harm, the community.
"It benefits the community as a whole and it benefits communities that don't have aggregate, to the extent that they will purchase it from communities, such as this, that do," said Snow Country attorney, Matthew Heron.
But the majority of the board said there's already more than enough gravel pits, and the only benefits are for the contractors.
"The need only exists for Snow Country," said board member, Steve Boyd. "It doesn't exist for anybody else."
Snow Country plans to contest the decision in the next 30 days.
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