Watertown board approves conditional‑use permit allowing continued mining on annexed parcel with 10 conditions

The Watertown Board of Adjustment voted unanimously on June 18 to approve a conditional‑use permit that allows continued mining on a recently annexed 41‑acre parcel, subject to 10 staff‑recommended conditions, the board said.

Community development director Brandy Hinton told the board the property — now zoned A‑1 following recent annexation and council approval — has hosted mining for at least 10 years and that staff recommended approval provided the operator meets the conditions attached to the permit, including a haul‑road agreement to be brought before city council within 30 days. "The mine operator shall implement dust control measures including, but not limited to, applying calcium chloride on all site transportation routes, stockpiles, and haul roads as necessary to prevent dust from reaching residential and commercial uses," Hinton said.

The board’s vote follows Hinton’s explanation of the 10 conditions. Those conditions include memorializing a haul‑road agreement between the city and J and J Land Sales, updating a memorandum of understanding with Elmira Township so the city assumes maintenance of a northern segment of 31st Street, reserving a 33‑foot corridor along the western property line for future public street improvements, requiring the operator to maintain all federal, state and local permits, and requiring a reclamation plan to be submitted to city staff within two years. Hinton also cited the state post‑reclamation surety rate cited in the record of $3,850 per acre, and said the permit limits active mining to no more than 10 acres at any given time.

Jamie Andrews, who identified himself as representing J and J Land Sales, told the board the company has been developing in the area for about 10 years and thanked the board and council for approving annexation. Andrews described a staged approach to mining and reclamation: "We are going to reclaim the North and then work our way to the South," he said, and estimated roughly 35 acres remained to be mined on the parcel. Andrews said how long mining would continue would depend on borings and sales but suggested operations could continue for several years.

Board members asked about reclamation status of the southern section, how the operation would line up with neighboring properties, and whether there were safety concerns for adjacent residents. Hinton said the city had heard township concerns about the right of way and was pursuing the revised road‑maintenance MOU; she said she was not aware of other safety concerns reported and reiterated that reclamation must comply with state requirements and the city’s conditions.

A motion to approve the conditional‑use permit with the 10 recommended conditions was made and seconded. The board conducted a roll‑call vote and, with all recorded votes in the affirmative, approved the permit.

Next steps: the city will pursue council approval of the haul‑road agreement within the 30‑day window cited in staff’s recommendation, and the mine operator is required to submit a reclamation plan for city review within two years, after which reclamation and bonding will proceed under the conditions approved by the board.