LYON COUNTY BOARD MEETING

Despite some opposition, the Lyon County Board on April 4 approved a Conditional Use Permit to allow Action Rocks, LLC to mine and process sand and gravel on a 15.62-acre tract zoned Agricutlure in Section 14, Township 110 in Coon Creek Township for use on County projects.
The board had discussed the issue at its previous meeting, but tabled discussion so commissioners to go out and look at the site. On Tuesday, the board OK’d the permit with modifications to previous stipulation after a motion by Commissioner Tom Andries and second from Commissioner Todd Draper.
The issue at hand Tuesday was mostly about safety; the plan calls for building up the access road to the land in question at the applicant Jim Swenson’s expense. Landowner Gary Thooft has provided a 15-foot easement to Action Rocks for access to the site.
“I just want to be sure the applicant’s drivers understand they need to stop (at the intersection when hauling gravel),” Board Chair Rick Anderson said. “I don’t want to see an accident out there … that’s a big concern for us.”
Jeremy Jensen said his house in which he has lived for 12 years doesn’t bump up against the land in question, but he has three children, and he’s concerned about their safety.
“It’s risky,” he said. “On March 19, it was icy and snowy and foggy, and me and my family were on our way home on 66 going east — as I approached the grove, there were two trucks out there doing some snow removal … and they opted to park them right on the edge of the hill, in the wrong lane. So as I’m going east approaching this hill, there’s a plow truck facing me, in my lane. If that’s the kind of safety we’re going to have with this pit, I oppose it.”
Carey Johnson, whose home is adjacent to the land in question, said the County needs to have some kind of setback to protect the buildings there.
“I’ve had a Realtor come on my site and told me if there’s an open gravel pit that close to my house it will devalue my property $50,000-$100,000,” he said. “In two years when I plan to retire, my house is going to be worth $100,000 less? Is that OK? My second point would be distance, it’s 160 yards to my house; anybody here want a gravel pit opened up a couple hundred feet from their house?”
The amendments to the previous list of CUP stipulation set the window for Action Rocks to mine the area at five years and that no loaded trucks are to use 150th Ave. The designated haul road will be Lyon County Road 66.
Also, Action Rocks’ represented by application Jim Swenson, must reclaim and level land as work progresses. He will be allowed to access some of the topsoil and re-sell it if so desired; at least 6 inches of soil must be left behind after mining is completed for seeding purposes and leveling of the land. Loading and unloading of equipment must be done on-site only.
Swenson estimates there roughly 40,000 tons of gravel (or about 2,000 loads) will be available when all is said and done.

In other business Tuesday …
The Board OK’d the purchase of six buildings as part of renovations at Garvin Park — four Boom Concrete Clovermist Double-vault bathrooms, one Huffcut Wolverine Model flush bathroom, and one Huffcut Model vault bathroom — for a total expenditure of $340,635.80. Ninety percent of the project will be paid for by a Greater Minnesota Parks & Trails Legacy Grant, which has already been approved, with the County contributing the other 10%.
• The board approved a resolution to allow a lawful gambling permit for a raffle at Soul Acres.
• The board approved participation by the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office in a DNR Water Safety Grant; the sheriff’s office has been awarded $1,212 for the 2023 grant cycle (Jan. 1, 2023-May 30, 2024). Grant funds can be used to equipment, supplies and wagers for deputies for the purple of boating safety and enforcement.