Decision delayed on proposed gravel pit adjacent to Equestrian Center

The City of Buckeye Planning And Zoning Commission delayed a plan Tuesday that would have allowed a GFT Ready Mix Concrete plant on 77 acres adjacent to the Buckeye Equestrian Center.

Equestrian Center General Manager Don Nahrgang said the center would lose money if the gravel pit were allowed to move forward, saying noise, dust and truck traffic would all cause visitors and RV Park residents to stay away from the center.

Jeff Blilie, speaking on behalf of MP Hazen Sand & Rock LLC, told commissioners that he was a friend of the Equestrian Center, regularly sponsoring events there.

Nahrgang, refuted that claim, saying Tuesday’s meeting was the first time he and Equestrian Center owners DECA Ranch had any communication with gravel pit owners, outside of two mail notifications about the scheduled public meeting.

Discussion between Blilie and commissioners centered primarily on the noise and dust expected from the operation of the site.

“During the life of the mining operation, ancillary structures, equipment, and parking will be periodically moved around the site to allow for excavation on different parts of the property,” the Project Description states. “Site operations will typically run 24 hours a day, depending on varying demand. The site will be illuminated with portable lights that will be required to meet all development code requirements. The operations on site will be wet aggregate mining which consists of a large, excavated pit that will fill with natural ground water.”

Commissioner Rebecca Puppe said her greatest concern was for the residents who own horses nearby.

“I have a concern about the noise from the plant and the horses there. I’m an animal lover,” Puppe said. “This looks like it’s going to be closer to the equestrian center [than another plant in the area].”

Blilie said that while this aggregate plant was the first he was working on, he planned to do others in the future. He also pointed to the general preference that aggregate plants be located nearby the development that they support.

After several questions from commissioners, Blilie agreed to limit mining operation during daytime hours only. No actual mining would take place between 6 p.m. and 5 a.m. for the 20-year life of the plant.

Commissioners eventually postponed a ruling on the proposal until the April 14 meeting of the Zoning Commission to give plant developers time to meet with Equestrian Center owners over the proposed abatement plan.