The town council just folded and rejected the mining expansion proposal. Greedy corporations like Hoffay and Rifenberg thought they could bulldoze our backyards but this victory proves them wrong. Stay alert because we are keeping a close watch to ensure they never try this again.
December 21, 2022
Final supporters
We, the undersigned, oppose the proposed plan to rezone lands owned by the Gardner family to allow mining on those lands and expand the existing Hoffay/Rifenberg, Olsen, Foley and Hunt Mines. The plan would expand the mining footprint by over 70 acres further infringing on the quality of life of several residential neighborhoods where hundreds of families live.
We believe the additional mining that would be allowed by the proposed zoning change will have a significant negative impact on the environment by:
- endangering the surrounding neighborhoods’ wells,
- increasing noise pollution and air pollution directly related to mine operations, and;
- increased truck traffic from these mines.
In addition, the proposed zoning change does not address the impact of increased mining on surrounding neighborhoods, which is an important consideration under the Town’s Zoning Code. The proposal ignores portions of the Town’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan which state “The Town will continue to use the existing zoning law to balance the economic benefits of mining with the need to protect community character and resources.” (P107, Strategy 7.6 Maintain the Town’s current regulatory approach balancing mining activities and impacts on the community”).
The neighborhoods surrounding the proposed expansion of mining were in existence prior to Hoffay/Rifenberg, Olsen, Foley and Hunt mines which began their operations in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
The applicants for this zoning amendment opposed adoption of the current Town Zoning Code which does not allow mining on the lands covered by the proposed zoning change. They later sued the Town of Sands Lake to overturn the Zoning Code costing taxpayers about $150,000 to successfully defended the current Zoning Code. The applicants are trying a third time to expand mining further into residential neighborhoods and evade current zoning provisions that protect the quality of life of many Town residents and neighborhoods
For these reasons we believe the Town of Sand Lake Planning Board should recommend that the Town Board not entertain this proposed amendment to the Town’s Zoning Code because is inconsistent with the Town’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan and its negative impact on the neighborhoods and property taxpayers surrounding the Gardner property that would endanger their wells and increase air and noise pollution.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 30, 2022
November 16, 2022
One hundred people have now joined this fight against these greedy mining companies that want to destroy our backyards. The Gardner family and these mine operators think they can steamroll our neighborhood but this number proves we are ready to block their expansion.
Reached 100 supporters
November 15, 2022
79 Comments
Sand Lake has been extensively mined for gravel already, especially in the Wynants Kill watershed. Additional mining will likely have a detrimental effect on existing severe flood risk. This significant risk needs to assessed, but additional mining will only increase the existing damage, and leave us with another deforested hole.
Given the negative impacts on the surrounding residential neighborhoods, it is hard to see how this proposal would be a net benefit to the town. The whole point of the Town Zoning Code and the Comprehensive Plan is to protect the quality of life of town residents. This proposal does not meet that test.
My house shakes from blasting almost every day. All of the main roads are constantly clogged with dump trucks. These operations should not be in the heart of a town. No more mining expansion.
Why do we have zoning laws and a comprehensive plan and not enforce it. This isn’t a simple request to amend a distance for not having enough space between side boundaries. It’s 70 acres of rezoning for the purpose of expanding a private business owners profits. Why do we have zoning if it can be adjusted by the town board.
We just had our well water tested because we suspected there were heavy metals present. We discovered a high level of arsenic in our well water and we are now investing in a more expensive filtration system. We do not need MORE mining to continue to poison our water supply for ourselves and our children.
Don’t do it
I oppose the expansion of the mine on Thais Rd. Truck traffic is already absurd on this small country road. I've seen too many pedestrians and cars nearly hit by these large passing trucks. The noise is ridiculous as I literally can't hear anything when they pass by my house with their air breaks. It's intrusive and distributive. I worry of our property values, taxes, well water and basic quality of life. Please do not allow this to pass.
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The town council just folded and rejected the mining expansion proposal. Greedy corporations like Hoffay and Rifenberg thought they could bulldoze our backyards but this victory proves them wrong. Stay alert because we are keeping a close watch to ensure they never try this again.
December 21, 2022
Final supporters
We, the undersigned, oppose the proposed plan to rezone lands owned by the Gardner family to allow mining on those lands and expand the existing Hoffay/Rifenberg, Olsen, Foley and Hunt Mines. The plan would expand the mining footprint by over 70 acres further infringing on the quality of life of several residential neighborhoods where hundreds of families live.
We believe the additional mining that would be allowed by the proposed zoning change will have a significant negative impact on the environment by:
- endangering the surrounding neighborhoods’ wells,
- increasing noise pollution and air pollution directly related to mine operations, and;
- increased truck traffic from these mines.
In addition, the proposed zoning change does not address the impact of increased mining on surrounding neighborhoods, which is an important consideration under the Town’s Zoning Code. The proposal ignores portions of the Town’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan which state “The Town will continue to use the existing zoning law to balance the economic benefits of mining with the need to protect community character and resources.” (P107, Strategy 7.6 Maintain the Town’s current regulatory approach balancing mining activities and impacts on the community”).
The neighborhoods surrounding the proposed expansion of mining were in existence prior to Hoffay/Rifenberg, Olsen, Foley and Hunt mines which began their operations in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
The applicants for this zoning amendment opposed adoption of the current Town Zoning Code which does not allow mining on the lands covered by the proposed zoning change. They later sued the Town of Sands Lake to overturn the Zoning Code costing taxpayers about $150,000 to successfully defended the current Zoning Code. The applicants are trying a third time to expand mining further into residential neighborhoods and evade current zoning provisions that protect the quality of life of many Town residents and neighborhoods
For these reasons we believe the Town of Sand Lake Planning Board should recommend that the Town Board not entertain this proposed amendment to the Town’s Zoning Code because is inconsistent with the Town’s 2019 Comprehensive Plan and its negative impact on the neighborhoods and property taxpayers surrounding the Gardner property that would endanger their wells and increase air and noise pollution.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
November 30, 2022
November 16, 2022
One hundred people have now joined this fight against these greedy mining companies that want to destroy our backyards. The Gardner family and these mine operators think they can steamroll our neighborhood but this number proves we are ready to block their expansion.
Reached 100 supporters
November 15, 2022
79 Comments
My foundation is compromised from constant blasting. 20 I-beams had to be installed to support bowing walls. Mining expansion will be a huge detriment to this community.
Sand Lake has been extensively mined for gravel already, especially in the Wynants Kill watershed. Additional mining will likely have a detrimental effect on existing severe flood risk. This significant risk needs to assessed, but additional mining will only increase the existing damage, and leave us with another deforested hole.
Given the negative impacts on the surrounding residential neighborhoods, it is hard to see how this proposal would be a net benefit to the town. The whole point of the Town Zoning Code and the Comprehensive Plan is to protect the quality of life of town residents. This proposal does not meet that test.
My house shakes from blasting almost every day. All of the main roads are constantly clogged with dump trucks. These operations should not be in the heart of a town. No more mining expansion.
Why do we have zoning laws and a comprehensive plan and not enforce it. This isn’t a simple request to amend a distance for not having enough space between side boundaries. It’s 70 acres of rezoning for the purpose of expanding a private business owners profits. Why do we have zoning if it can be adjusted by the town board.
We just had our well water tested because we suspected there were heavy metals present. We discovered a high level of arsenic in our well water and we are now investing in a more expensive filtration system. We do not need MORE mining to continue to poison our water supply for ourselves and our children.
Don’t do it
I oppose the expansion of the mine on Thais Rd. Truck traffic is already absurd on this small country road. I've seen too many pedestrians and cars nearly hit by these large passing trucks. The noise is ridiculous as I literally can't hear anything when they pass by my house with their air breaks. It's intrusive and distributive. I worry of our property values, taxes, well water and basic quality of life. Please do not allow this to pass.
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My foundation is compromised from constant blasting. 20 I-beams had to be installed to support bowing walls. Mining expansion will be a huge detriment to this community.