SAVE SAND LAKE NEIGHBORHOODS OBJECT TO ANOTHER PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE HOFFAY & HUNT MINES
We the undersigned object to the proposed change in the Town Zoning Code that would allow the mining of the berms separating the Hoffay, Hunt, Olsen, and Foley mines without a full environmental impact study to assess the impact of such an expansion. The berms currently serve as a sound and visual barrier between the mines and the neighborhoods that surround them. Their removal is likely to have significant impacts on surrounding residents by:
- endangering their wells and water quality;
- increasing noise pollution, air pollution and truck traffic directly related to mine operations; and
- endangering their health due to the documented connection between gravel mining and increased risk of respiratory diseases and cancer.
The failure of the proposed zoning change to address the impact of increased mining on surrounding neighborhoods ignores an important consideration under the Town’s Zoning Code. The proposal also 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 Town Board resolution adopting the proposed zoning law change claims that such a change “is in the best interests of Sand Lake residents” and it is necessary to “protect the public health and safety, as well as the environment, in the Town”. The Town Board has presented no evidence to support the mining of these berms protect public health and safety and the environment or that it is in the best interests of Sand Lake residents.
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. These residences pay over ten times the local government property tax rate than the mining applicants’ properties.
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 until a full environmental impact study is completed to assess the impact of such an expansion.Updates
May 28, 2024
I have spent the last few days looking over the maps of the proposed expansion and it is clear they are ignoring the proximity to our backyards. We are gathering technical evidence to challenge their claims because our families deserve clean air and water over their profits.
May 28, 2024
Seeing this much energy behind our push to protect our homes tells me that our neighbors refuse to be ignored. This momentum proves that people are finally waking up to how much we have at stake if these berms are leveled.
Reached 100 supporters
May 28, 2024
41 Comments
The already heavy truck traffic, noise and air pollution, and impact on our wells is way beyond enough. How is this possibly good for anyone besides the owners of the mines? I do not dispute that the products of these mines are necessary, but the mines should not be located near residential areas. No further mine expansion in Sand Lake!
We need to maintain the rural/residential character of the community for our and future generations. Slowly, bit by bit, turning part of it into a huge gravel pit is unacceptable. The impact on our wells and air quality is of serious concern.
I used to live on the backside of main mine, and the work they do really affects those residences. We had shakes from the explosions, constant dust floating over the hill, and hard water. I cannot imagine living near the mine without the berms separating the mines and residential areas, it would be so much worse.
As a licensed real estate professional I believe expanding mining in our town will have a negative impact on home values.
This will severely impact these neighborhoods. It is not right that neither the appropriate time, notice or communication was provided for sufficient consideration and debate. There is no need to change the law.
No expansion of the Hoffay Hunt mines!
It’s good for the town board and zoning committee, as long as the mine isn’t in their backyards! Collateral damage is ok as long as the town government is out of harms way!! Sounds crooked to me
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SAVE SAND LAKE NEIGHBORHOODS OBJECT TO ANOTHER PROPOSED EXPANSION OF THE HOFFAY & HUNT MINES
We the undersigned object to the proposed change in the Town Zoning Code that would allow the mining of the berms separating the Hoffay, Hunt, Olsen, and Foley mines without a full environmental impact study to assess the impact of such an expansion. The berms currently serve as a sound and visual barrier between the mines and the neighborhoods that surround them. Their removal is likely to have significant impacts on surrounding residents by:
- endangering their wells and water quality;
- increasing noise pollution, air pollution and truck traffic directly related to mine operations; and
- endangering their health due to the documented connection between gravel mining and increased risk of respiratory diseases and cancer.
The failure of the proposed zoning change to address the impact of increased mining on surrounding neighborhoods ignores an important consideration under the Town’s Zoning Code. The proposal also 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 Town Board resolution adopting the proposed zoning law change claims that such a change “is in the best interests of Sand Lake residents” and it is necessary to “protect the public health and safety, as well as the environment, in the Town”. The Town Board has presented no evidence to support the mining of these berms protect public health and safety and the environment or that it is in the best interests of Sand Lake residents.
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. These residences pay over ten times the local government property tax rate than the mining applicants’ properties.
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 until a full environmental impact study is completed to assess the impact of such an expansion.Updates
May 28, 2024
I have spent the last few days looking over the maps of the proposed expansion and it is clear they are ignoring the proximity to our backyards. We are gathering technical evidence to challenge their claims because our families deserve clean air and water over their profits.
May 28, 2024
Seeing this much energy behind our push to protect our homes tells me that our neighbors refuse to be ignored. This momentum proves that people are finally waking up to how much we have at stake if these berms are leveled.
Reached 100 supporters
May 28, 2024
41 Comments
Current mining violently shakes my house during blasting. A huge volume of dump trucks drive erratically through town with no regard for citizens. A blanket of dust covers much of the town. Expanding mining will exacerbate these issues, and create new ones. Mining is not meant to take place in the middle of a town.
The already heavy truck traffic, noise and air pollution, and impact on our wells is way beyond enough. How is this possibly good for anyone besides the owners of the mines? I do not dispute that the products of these mines are necessary, but the mines should not be located near residential areas. No further mine expansion in Sand Lake!
We need to maintain the rural/residential character of the community for our and future generations. Slowly, bit by bit, turning part of it into a huge gravel pit is unacceptable. The impact on our wells and air quality is of serious concern.
I used to live on the backside of main mine, and the work they do really affects those residences. We had shakes from the explosions, constant dust floating over the hill, and hard water. I cannot imagine living near the mine without the berms separating the mines and residential areas, it would be so much worse.
As a licensed real estate professional I believe expanding mining in our town will have a negative impact on home values.
This will severely impact these neighborhoods. It is not right that neither the appropriate time, notice or communication was provided for sufficient consideration and debate. There is no need to change the law.
No expansion of the Hoffay Hunt mines!
It’s good for the town board and zoning committee, as long as the mine isn’t in their backyards! Collateral damage is ok as long as the town government is out of harms way!! Sounds crooked to me
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Current mining violently shakes my house during blasting. A huge volume of dump trucks drive erratically through town with no regard for citizens. A blanket of dust covers much of the town. Expanding mining will exacerbate these issues, and create new ones. Mining is not meant to take place in the middle of a town.