Gravel Pit Receives Preliminary OK in IL

Despite strong opposition from more than three dozen nearby residents, the city of Marengo, Ill., and Riley Township, Ill., McHenry County zoning officials approved plans for a new gravel pit south of Marengo.

The county's zoning board of appeals voted 5-2 in favor of the 115-acre operation proposed by Woodstock-based Maple Valley Materials Inc. The board also approved plans for a concrete recycling facility on the premises, but rejected proposals to build asphalt and concrete mixing plants on the site.

The split decision did not sit well with either side. Residents living near the property oppose any mining operation, regardless of whether it includes the other components, while the lawyer for Maple Valley said the proposal might not succeed without the concrete and asphalt making elements.

"It will be difficult. Economically, there's a reason they put all these things together," attorney Mark Gummerson said.

The plan now goes before the McHenry County Board, which holds final say over the proposal. The board, which could take up the matter as soon as Aug. 19, usually goes along with the zoning board's recommendations.

However, gravel pit opponents said they hope to persuade county board members to vote otherwise.

Zoning board members approved the gravel-mining plan after setting down 22 conditions under which the facility must operate. Among them are a 10-year limit on mining, limits on hours of operation, requirements for landscaping around the property and provisions aimed at preventing contamination of water sources.

"The conditions will govern that it does not endanger public health and safety," said Michael McNerney, one of the five zoning board members to support the gravel pit.

"The history of pits in McHenry County is that they have been no detriment to property values of nearby homes."

However, Thomas Burney, who along with Elizabeth Scherer voted against the plan, said it is incompatible with the surrounding area, including a small subdivision sitting across the street.

He particularly took issue of the operator's plan to use the partially residential Maple Street as the primary entrance and exist for the pit.