As a result of the recent Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) citizens’ board meeting concerning the four million gallon Asbury asphalt storage facility, project developer Duininck, Inc. has pulled its initial re-zoning application.
The action, taken last Friday, does not change the Prinsburg located construction company’s intention to build the facility five miles north of Granite Falls adjacent to a railroad, but it may affect the final decision of the citizens’ board regarding whether or not Duininck Inc. must develop an Environmental Impact Statement for the project.
According to Scott Williams, Director of the Land and Resource Management Office of Chippewa County, one of the concerns of the citizens’ board revolves around Duininck’s intent to have the property re-zoned “industrial.” Williams said that board was wary that another business could establish an industrial operation at the site without having to jump through the same hoops thereafter.
Duininck, Inc. Director of Engineering Jason Ver Steeg said that by dropping the application the company is able to pursue a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for industrial storage within the agricultural zone. Ver Steeg said that Williams informed him of the permit, which is said to fall within the parameters of conditional use proposed by Duininck, Inc. for the site.
On February 23, MPCA staff recommended that the citizens’ board accept an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) completed by Duininck, Inc. The EAW looks at certain environmental concerns that may result because of the asphalt facility, as well as how they are mitigated.
Instead of accepting the recommendation, the citizens’ board voted 6-2 to direct MPCA staff to research findings that would support ordering an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is a far more comprehensive and costly document.
MPCA staff is still in the midst of gathering the information in support of ordering the EIS and has yet to set a date for another hearing.
Williams said that a Chippewa County CUP hearing would not occur until after the citizens’ board had made its decision.
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As a result of the recent Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) citizens’ board meeting concerning the four million gallon Asbury asphalt storage facility, project developer Duininck, Inc. has pulled its initial re-zoning application.
The action, taken last Friday, does not change the Prinsburg located construction company’s intention to build the facility five miles north of Granite Falls adjacent to a railroad, but it may affect the final decision of the citizens’ board regarding whether or not Duininck Inc. must develop an Environmental Impact Statement for the project.
According to Scott Williams, Director of the Land and Resource Management Office of Chippewa County, one of the concerns of the citizens’ board revolves around Duininck’s intent to have the property re-zoned “industrial.” Williams said that board was wary that another business could establish an industrial operation at the site without having to jump through the same hoops thereafter.
Duininck, Inc. Director of Engineering Jason Ver Steeg said that by dropping the application the company is able to pursue a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) for industrial storage within the agricultural zone. Ver Steeg said that Williams informed him of the permit, which is said to fall within the parameters of conditional use proposed by Duininck, Inc. for the site.
On February 23, MPCA staff recommended that the citizens’ board accept an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) completed by Duininck, Inc. The EAW looks at certain environmental concerns that may result because of the asphalt facility, as well as how they are mitigated.
Instead of accepting the recommendation, the citizens’ board voted 6-2 to direct MPCA staff to research findings that would support ordering an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which is a far more comprehensive and costly document.
MPCA staff is still in the midst of gathering the information in support of ordering the EIS and has yet to set a date for another hearing.
Williams said that a Chippewa County CUP hearing would not occur until after the citizens’ board had made its decision.
