Planning commission re-approves eight gravel pits, tables three

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP - Following a short public hearing, the Ironwood Township Planning Commission re-approved permits for eight of the township's gravel pits Thursday, while tabling another three permits after unforeseen issues arose with the applications.

The commission decided to wait until its next meeting on April 30 to deal with the permits for the remaining three operating gravel pits in the township after the owner of one had a question and the other two had neighbors come forward with complaints.

Two of the three pits - the Bratu-run pit, located on Northstar Road, and the pit operated by Ruotsala Construction - were tabled after residents living near the pits submitted last-minute complaints about the operation of the pits.

As the commission was unaware of the complaints until shortly before the meeting, they decided to delay action until zoning administrator Donald "Butch" Saari could investigate further. Saari wasn't present at the meeting.

Commission Vice Chair Bob Lynn asked residents to try and bring any issue with the pits near them to attention of the township as they arise, rather than waiting until the permitting deadline.

"When we get these complaints at the same day as we are about to renew the pits, it kind of puts us in an awkward situation," said Lynn. "It makes it a little bit easier for us to make decisions if we know in advance. Otherwise, if we hear no complaints ... we have to assume everything is hunky dory."

He urged those with issues to keep a daily log of problems and bring them to the attention of township officials.

The third pit - owned by Cecilia Pisco - was delayed after the owners brought up questions regarding language in the township's ordinance governing gravel pits, specifically whether the commission could approve bringing materials into the pit to build up the surrounding berms at the same time as approving the extraction gravel, or if a separate meeting was needed.

The commission wasn't comfortable expressing an opinion without rereading the ordinance and so action was delayed until the April 30 meeting.

None of the approved pits had complaints from neighbors against them.

The board also delayed action on revising the township's blight ordinance until the next meeting, due to Saari's absence.

Commission members discussed the ordinance and there were some questions as what changes Saari was suggesting they make.

Several members of the commission also expressed support for the idea of connecting the definition of blight to how visible it was from roads.