The Sharon Township Planning Commission (PC) held a Public Hearing on Wednesday evening (15 FEB) regarding an application for a 400-acre gravel mine on Pleasant Lake Road.
Key Points:
- Approximately 150 people attended
- Stoneco, the mining applicant, provided a high level overview of the mining site
- Sixteen attendees ceded their three minutes of speaking time to Sharon Preservation Society, which used about 30 minute to present its findings
- About 20 other individuals provided public comment
- Members of the PC and its consultants used the opportunity to listen and take notes. They did not deliberate, comment, or question the public.
- Legal counsel for the township on the mining application, Gerald Fisher, said the public comments were among the most thoughtful and meaningful he’d witnessed.
Media Coverage
NOTE: Local journalism is very important for smaller communities like Sharon Township, Manchester, or Chelsea. It’s important to support news organizations whose reporters cover local issues, and attend evening meeting and public hearings.
Michigan Radio (prior to hearing)
What’s Next:
The PC describes the comments it received as “substantive”. Members will review the information prior to their next meeting on March 14.
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- The PC is charged with balancing the “low-to-moderate” need for the material (determined in the prior phase of the application process) with the amount of harm, or very serious consequences, the township would endure.
- THe PC’s next meeting is March 14. It does NOT expect to make any decisions at that meeting. It will instead take the time to formalize the proces it will use to balance “need” with “very serious consequences.”
- Ultimately, it will make a recommendation to the Board of Trustees: approve a special use permit, deny it, or approve it with conditions (see graphic)
