The county board has approved a conditional use permit (CUP) for the Town of Tofte to stockpile 30,000 cubic yards of rock on its unused airport runway. The rock, which belongs to KGM Construction, came from the area along Highway 61 between Lutsen and Tofte where the company is improving the road. Instead of paying rent for use of the runway over the next five to ten years, KGM offered to pave the Birch Grove Community Center parking lot.
Lutsen Development Corporation had previously proposed stockpiling the rock on property it owns on the other end of the runway, but protests from area residents, partly over increased traffic and noise, led to that request being denied.
Two options were considered for KGM to access the township-owned end of the airport. One route leads directly from the Sawbill Trail, but using it would require federal oversight to properly establish the roadway because of the amount of wetland disturbance that would take place. The second route would lead trucks from the Sawbill Trail to the runway via Springdale Road and Aero Drive. Wetlands would be disturbed along this route as well, but in an amount small enough for the county to oversee.
Therock needs to be moved soon since the road project is scheduled to be completed during the next construction season. KGM suggested hauling the rock to the runway through the second route along Springdale Road and Aero Drive over the course of two or three weeks while the ground is still hard, creating less of a disturbance. The road leading directly from the Sawbill Trail could be developed over the course of time and used when KGM needs to retrieve rock from the site in the future.
The Cook County Planning Commission approved the request with 18 conditions, including a requirement that KGM repair any damage to county roads and work with the county engineer to ensure that traffic safety procedures are in place when the rock is being hauled.
Tom Spence Jr., told the county board Tuesday, February 9, 2010 that he didn’t think nearby residents were notified adequately of a public hearing held January 28. Planning & Zoning Director Tim Nelson said the county must notify residents within a quarter mile of the project and must notify at least 10, which it did. Zoning Administrator Bill Lane said 18 property owners were notified.
What would happen if KGM did not use the rock by the time the lease expires in 10 years? County Attorney Tim Scannell asked. KGM project superintendent Heath Line said KGM could renew the lease after 10 years, but if they did not, the rock would belong to the Town of Tofte. According to Commissioner Bruce Martinson, the rock is valuable and would be an asset to the township.
The board discussed the conditions that would go along with the CUP and voted unanimously to approve it.
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