Zoning panel denies Todd's Ready Mix 80‑acre rezone after sustained public opposition

The Sawyer County Zoning Committee on July 19 denied rezone petition 26‑012 that would have rezoned roughly 80 acres from Residential‑Recreational 1 to Forestry 1 to support an expansion of Todd’s Ready Mix’s nonmetallic mining operation.

The motion to reject the rezone carried 4–1 after committee members listed findings of fact saying the proposal would not protect property values or conserve soil, water and forest resources. “It does not provide a healthy surrounding for family life,” a motion maker said when explaining the grounds for denial.

Todd’s Ready Mix representatives, including Andrew Peters of Matthew Construction and Tristan Gardner, argued the application was a geographic continuation of an existing pit, not a net increase in production, and emphasized reclamation commitments. Gardner said the company intends “no impact to that wetland” and described the operation as temporary, estimating a “comfortably 20 years” lifespan for the resource depending on demand.

Residents who testified urged denial. Dennis Erickson told the panel, “Think moonscape — it will never be the same,” and raised concerns about noise, dust and property‑value losses. Other neighbors cited wetlands, traffic and long‑term reclamation costs, noting proper reclamation can cost thousands per acre.

After the denial of the rezone, staff and legal counsel discussed whether to proceed with the related conditional use permit (CUP) and reclamation plan. Because the CUP depends on rezoning, the committee voted to table the CUP, the plan of operation and the reclamation application until the county board reviews the zoning committee’s recommendation.

What happens next: the zoning committee’s denial will be forwarded as a recommendation to the Sawyer County Board; the CUP and reclamation review are on hold pending the county board’s action.