HomeMy WebLinkAboutLower Bridge Mine Discussion
MEMORANDUM
DATE: June 29, 2011
TO: Board of County Commissioners
FROM Tom Anderson, Director
Will Groves, Senior Planner
SUBJECT: Discussion of Lower Bridge Former Mining Site
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Background:
The Board has requested a work session to reacquaint themselves and/or learn of the land use
and code enforcement history associated with the 550 acre former mining site on Lower Bridge
Way west of Terrebonne. Staff has prepared a PowerPoint presentation which we will share
with the Board at the work session on June 29th.
Discussion Points:
The site in question is a legacy mining operation that has been in use for nearly 100 years. The
predominate resources extracted from the site include both diatomaceous earth and aggregate.
It has also been used as a storage site for hazardous materials. Mining activity has recently
ended, and the ownership group, in partnership with a developer, has begun a process to
rezone the property from Surface Mining and Exclusive Farm Use to Rural Residential. The
steps necessary to accomplish the rezoning are very complex, and involved separating the
property into different geographic areas of consideration.
Over time, the land surrounding the site has also experienced residential development, and
these residents have expressed ongoing concerns to the County about the site through code
enforcement complaints and other communications. Issues of concern have included fugitive
dust, health concerns, and visual blight, among others. Although the County has investigated
these concerns and initiated code enforcement proceedings in some cases, not all concerns fall
within it’s jurisdiction.
Land use issues and code enforcement are connected in that the 2009 rezone decision issued
by the County addresses many of the concerns voiced by surrounding property owners. It is
hoped that the presentation on the 29th will assist the Board in decision making as both the land
use and code enforcement processes move forward.
Requested Board Action:
Discuss land use and code enforcement issues associated with the site and provide any
additional direction to staff as warranted.