Planning commission approves 9‑acre borrow pit for County Road 157 reconstruction with conditions

The Stearns County Planning Commission voted March 26 to approve an interim use permit for a roughly 9‑acre sand borrow pit on property proposed by Matawitz Construction for use on the County Road 157 reconstruction project.

Jennifer Buckantine, environmental services staff, told the board the mining area would avoid shoreland, floodplain and identified wetlands, and would access County Road 12. She said the pit is intended to supply sand to rebuild County Road 157 (between Freeport and Albany) and described recommended conditions: an expiration date (proposed Dec. 31, 2026), hours of operation (7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday–Friday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays), a financial guarantee the county typically sets at $6,500 per acre, truck‑hauling signage during hauling, a posted identification sign, and either a recorded easement or written permission to use the neighbor’s driveway approach.

Buckantine reported Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) reviewed the site plan and confirmed no permit from MnDOT would be required after MnDOT staff verified no additional stormwater runoff would be directed to the I‑94 right‑of‑way. Matawitz representatives Andy Harris and Luke Comquist said the pit would deliver sand directly to the County Road 157 work and that they are pursuing written permission or an easement for the existing access; if permission is not granted they would reroute the small driveway corner around the neighbor’s parcel.

The commission closed the hearing and approved the interim use permit by roll‑call vote. The item will be forwarded to the Stearns County Board on April 7 for final action.