FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayetteville City Council on Tuesday will consider two ordinances to control activity from rock quarry and red dirt mining facilities within a mile of city limits.
Aldermen Shirley Lucas and Sarah Lewis of Ward 4, the city's west section, proposed the ordinances. Residents in their area have been concerned and unhappy about problems from a nearby rock quarry and red dirt mining facility. Frequent blasting; machines causing dust, noise and vibration; and dump trucks causing traffic and safety problems - especially during morning and afternoon school rush hours - have been sources of complaints, according to a memo from City Attorney Kit Williams to the council.
Trucks are also uncovered and dump dirt and rocks onto city streets and rights of way, Williams wrote.
Big Red Dirt Farm and the Rogers Group limestone quarry are close to Fayetteville's western city limits.
The proposed ordinances would require operators of rock quarry or red dirt mining facilities within the city and within one mile of city limits to obtain a license from Fayetteville to operate.
The proposals would also restrict the frequency of allowed explosions, require dust control measures, restrict operations to regular work days and restrict hours of operation. Longer hours would be permitted in summer months when school is out.
Loads would also have to be covered more frequently.
Owners and managers of the operation did not attend meetings to provide input, Williams said. Ordinances should be left on the first reading so they can review them for fairness and utility, he suggested.
County residents opposed to rock quarrying and limestone mining - particularly those near the Wedington Woods area in west Fayetteville - have recently been vocal at Washington County Quorum Court meetings.
The Rogers Group is seeking a conditional-use permit for expansion from the county. An ordinance has been proposed there to push current or future quarrying farther from city limits.
News, Pages 1 on 08/31/2009