Mining interim use permit approved
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NEW ULM -- The permit for a mining operation was approved by the New Ulm City Council Tuesday.
Prairie Land Development LLP received an interim use permit of five years, motioned by Councilor Larry Mack and seconded by Councilor David Christian.
The permit allows aggregate mining and activities that will open up future residential development in the area, which is located across from the New Ulm High School Athletic Fields, totaling 11.29 acres.
Traffic generated by the mining in the area will use North Highland Avenue.
Another permit will likely need to be issued down the line, as it is estimated to take over ten years to mine the entire area.
According to City Planner John Knisley, this is the first interim use permit issued to a mining operation.
Prior to this, the city issued conditional use permits for mining operations that lasted the life of the property. This changed in an update to the zoning ordinance so staff could review operations and address issues.
"I'd also note that we do address issues when they come in," Knisley said. "If complaints come in they are addressed with the property owners immediately."
The city did receive comments on the mining.
"We received public comment via email regarding this application. Two emails," Knisley said. "Emails contained concerns and questions about the mine's slope, reclamation process, mining, and proximity to their property."
Staff addressed these concerns at the Sept. 24 planning commission meeting, where the group unanimously recommended approval of the request.
Operations will fill in the substantial elevation change at the north edge of the property with material from the mining, bringing the slope to a stabilized 45 degree angle.
According to city ordinance, the mining area requires a six foot set back from all property lines. Permit states that operations will stay 50 feet from the northeasterly property to give more of a buffer. The area surrounding the mine will also be screened and concealed from surrounding properties.
Knisley also said that proposed mining operations will generally not impact neighboring properties and that the new mining operation will be a continuation of similar business.
Mining in the area has been going on since 1955 and recent mining in the area has resulted in housing expansion.
"If you've been out to this site, from their existing mining site going towards Highway 14 this has all been previously mined before and reshaped for residential development which has taken place at those areas," Knisley said.