By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
A divided Town of Spring Prairie Planning Commission recommended approval of a proposed and sharply contested gravel pit at a Jan. 16 meeting.
The recommendations came on 3-2 vote and includes rezoning three parcels from A-1 Agriculture to M-3 Mineral Extraction District as well as conditional use permits for each parcel located northeast of the intersection of highways 120 and 11.
A certified survey map intended to combine the three parcels into one, however, drew a 2-2 deadlock.
The three items will move to the Town Board for consideration next month.
At the Jan. 16 meeting, residents packed the Town Hall with more than a dozen speaking out against the proposal presented by Union Grove-based Asphalt Contractors, Inc.
Concerns included traffic safety, environmental disruptions, noise pollution, possible decline of property values and compromising the town’s rural character.
Mary Grossman, one of residents who voiced opposition, believes the proposed gravel pit would damage the town’s infrastructure.
“Our quality of life will be damaged by traffic, noise, dust,” she said. “The pit does not meet our social needs. This pit will shred our pride in our community.”
Asphalt Contractors brought in several officials from different agencies to explain the project and quell any concerns residents might have.
Robert Kordus, President of Asphalt Contractors, Inc., said the plan submitted to the Town of Spring Prairie is one of the most comprehensive presented to Walworth County.
“The Walworth County Land Use office requires a lot of information and resulted in what we believe is the most comprehensive (plan) ever submitted to this county and certainly to the town,” he said.
Read the full story in this week’s Burlington, East Troy and Elkhorn newspapers.
