Cary OKs controversial gravel pit

Despite the opposition of hundreds of vocal residents, the Cary village board Tuesday cleared the way for Meyer Material to mine a gravel pit on land next to the Fox Trails subdivision.

Meyer plans to mine the land east of Route 31 and north of Klausen Road for eight years -- from June 1 to June 1, 2016.

The mining company had initially planned to mine the land for 10 years but later agreed to operate for only eight years at the request of village officials.

Meyer has agreed to contribute $6.25 million to the village during the next 10 years to help offset the gravel pit's impact on the environment, home values and nearby residents.

But the decision left many Cary residents disappointed. Hundreds of nearby homeowners attended village board meetings, spoke out against the pit and even designed T-shirts in hopes of persuading the board to reject Meyer's proposal.

Residents argued the gravel mine would be noisy, lower their home values and pollute the air and water.

"This was a vote of greed over people," said Fox Trails resident Bruce Janu, a leader of the opposition. Janu said the concessions the village won from Meyer were token gifts and unenforceable. "In the end, they're basically going to do what they want to do."

Janu said he'll tell his neighbors to petition the county for lower property taxes because the gravel pit will lower home values.

"I don't think I'll be able to sell my home," he said.

Cary Mayor Steve Lamal said he understands the frustration of some residents but that the pit will be a "good deal" for the village and that the $9.5 million in letters of credit the village is requiring Meyer to post will ensure the company meets its obligations.

"I don't minimize at all their frustration," Lamal said. "What you have to do is try to mitigate the effect on the surrounding community as much as you can but also recognize that the decision is predicated on the good of the entire community."

The $6.25 million Meyer will contribute to the village includes $2.5 million for general village operations, $2 million to maintain the gravel pit site, $1 million to compensate 130 Fox Trails residents for depressed home values and $750,000 to improve surrounding roads.

When Meyer has finished mining the 102-acre site, the company will turn the land into a recreational area with a lake and trail system. No later than June 1, 2018, Meyer will deed the land to the village.

Lamal said he expects Meyer and the village to formalize the agreement reached Tuesday night in 30 to 45 days.