Lyndon Township’s Planning Commission will continue discussions on a proposed gravel pit and sand mining operation northwest of Chelsea next month.
Almost 200 people attended a meeting on a special land use permit request from McCoig Materials Monday night. Western Washtenaw County residents are raising concerns around traffic, property values, environmental impacts, changes to the water table, and other issues from a proposed gravel and sand mining operation.
The proposal is for a site on M-52 across from Green Lake and near a variety of recreational areas.
Consultants for McCoig Materials say they will work with the community to make the best project possible. Tim Forell of Forenergy is a consultant for McCoig Materials. He says the company considered about 100 southeast Michigan locations before choosing this site. The decision was made in part because of the limited number of residents in the area and being located on M-52.
Chelsea City Council is requesting the township reject the project for the negative consequences it will bring to the community. City Council member Melissa Johnson says they’re concerned about a variety of impacts from having up to 80 gravel train round-trips per day coming through downtown.
Lyndon Township Planning Commission Chair Kevin McLughlin says they will continue to discuss the issue at their regular meeting March 13th. However township officials say state law limits the grounds on which they could reject the proposal.
— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.
