A Red Deer County appeal board has upheld a decision blocking the reopening of a sand and gravel pit in the Burnt Lake Trail area.
In its decision, the board says it had to weigh whether the 35-acre pit a couple of kilometres south of Burnt Lake Trail just west of Red Deer was a suitable fit with nearby residential areas.
“The board concludes that the noise anticipated from the gravel/sand operation and the haul route is not compatible with the existing and proposed residential uses in the neighbourhood,” says the decision.
The additional truck traffic along the haul route and the noise generated from the pit will add to existing racket from other businesses, including another nearby gravel pit, says the board.
Also of concern was how close noise levels projected in a study would come to permissible sound levels under Environmental Resource Conservation Board guidelines.
If there was any change in the variables considered in the study, such as the amount or size of equipment, noise levels could exceed the guidelines, says the board.
Cremona-based Gabriel Construction first applied last fall to reopen the sand and gravel pit that hasn’t been used in about nine years.
Last August, the company took an application before the planning commission and was told to rework the proposal in consultation with county staff to address concerns.
The updated application dropped an onsite asphalt or cement plant and eliminated crushing operations. The hours of operation and the number of days the pit would be open were also reduced.
In a packed municipal planning commission hearing in June, a steady stream of residents voiced their opposition to the revamped proposal. The commission unanimously rejected the application.
The decision was appealed and the subdivision and development appeal board hearing was held on Sept. 12 at Red Deer County Centre.
The board heard that many of the residents who opposed the gravel pit proposal fear that it will put too many trucks on an already busy road, causing noise and safety concerns.
The board agreed this was an issue of concern, noting that truck traffic from an existing gravel pit already puts 50 trucks per hour on the haul route.
Sheila Maday, who spoke out against the pit at the appeal hearing, was pleased that the board agreed with their concerns.
“Burnt Lake Trail is just not conducive to that much traffic,” said Maday.
Some residents in the Fleming subdivision, which is perched on the banks of the Red Deer River on the opposite side from the proposed gravel pit, worried that vibration would add to land slumping problems that have seen parts of backyards tumble down the escarpment. However, the board found there was not enough evidence presented for the board to make any finding on that claim.
Fleming subdivision resident Diane Walker said while the slumping issue may not have been what swayed the board, she’s happy with the outcome.
“I think we’ve got enough going on already. To have a new pit come in so close to residential is just terrible,” she said, noting the county has approved a large country residential development near the Burnt Lake Trail that will also bring a lot of new traffic.
“Red Deer County has lots of sand and gravel. I guess they’ll just have to go someplace else.”
A spokesman for Gabriel Construction could not be reached for comment on Thursday.
pcowley@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate