Sand and gravel mining operation to expand in Lakemoor
A longtime mining operation north of Route 120 in Lakemoor will expand after approvals to bring new territory into the village.
The Lakemoor village board on Tuesday unanimously approved measures allowing for the annexation of property on its far west side, as well as uses by Thelen Sand and Gravel for mining and related activities. Trustee Colin McIntyre was absent.
The approvals allow Thelen to expand its current mining operation to another 164 acres and would increase the company's total holdings in the area to 730 acres.
As had been the case with the village's planning and zoning commission consideration of the proposal in early February, the village board meeting was moved to Countryside Banquets & Conference Center to allow for an anticipated crowd.
Neighbors in Val-Mar Estates and other areas had questioned the potential impacts of expanded mining, such as noise and dust, air and water quality and home values.
About 50 attended Tuesday night. Several speakers reiterated those concerns and questioned the timing and results studies and tests that had been done to make the case.
"It is true that the county assessor will not lower the value of my house because of the pit expansion," resident John Ducy said. "But the marketability of my house will drop drastically because of the proposed pit expansion."
The area has been mined since the 1930s. Thelen began mining in 2010 after taking over an existing operation.
Mining in Lakemoor will continue for 40 to 60 years. A required site plan for when mining is complete shows residential and commercial uses and nearly 500 acres of lakes and open space.
Resident Tim Kuraszek said constant noise and dust isn't in anybody's best interest and suggested the village put the proposal on the November ballot.
"If they (Thelen) really want to be a good neighbor, they should donate that property to the McHenry County Conservation District and let us live in peace."
Resident Stefan Levy suggested trustees should want to be remembered more for projects like the pending Woodman's grocery store.
"This is not a good legacy for you or for us," he said.
The village board approved each of seven items unanimously and without comment.
After the meeting, Mayor Todd Weihofen produced a list of 15 conditions of approval to ensure the health and safety of the operation, including provisions for dust, noise and groundwater testing. A berm to screen adjacent houses will be a minimum of 20 feet high, twice the required height, Weihofen added.
"From where we started to where we are now, it's a great improvement," Stan Mill, treasurer of Val-Mar Estates subdivision, said after the meeting.