Commissioners table Sunroc gravel‑pit expansion after residents voice health, traffic and property concerns

Lincoln County commissioners voted June 7 to table consideration of Sunroc Corporation’s application to expand an existing gravel pit, after planning staff recommended denial and a series of residents urged the board to reject or substantially limit the project.

Planning Director Robert Davis told the Commission that File 103 CUP 23, as submitted, “will substantially impair the appropriate use of neighboring property” and raised concerns about compatibility with adjacent land uses, traffic, noise and environmental impacts. Bill King, representing Sunroc, told the board the company would withdraw the portion of its application seeking a hot asphalt plant and proceed only with the gravel‑pit expansion.

During public comment residents cited multiple concerns. Jennifer Anderson said neighbors had been told the operation would not expand and argued that moving from a limited gravel permit to a small‑mining permit should be treated as a new use requiring full review. Greg Nelson and other residents raised worries about decreased property values and impacts to air and water quality. Several speakers questioned hours of operation and whether the required conditions would be adequately monitored.

Chairman Hansen and the Commissioners discussed buffer distances and possible conditions. Commissioner Bowers moved to table the item until the June 20, 2023 Commission meeting at 12:30 p.m.; the motion was adopted. The Commission directed staff to meet with the applicant to explore buffer and conditions options before that date.

The planning staff’s recommendation of denial remains part of the record; the transcript does not include a roll‑call vote tally on the tabling motion. The June 20 session is scheduled to revisit File 103 CUP 23 with any staff‑applicant clarifications.