Planning commission approves gravel pit permit

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP — The Ironwood Township Planning Commission approved a special use permit for a new gravel pit following a public hearing Thursday.

The pit, which will be operated Angelo Luppino Inc., is located off Black River Road, near Maple Creek, north of Copper Peak.

Township zoning administrator LeRoy Johnson said while one party expressed concern about road easements in connection with the pit, the commission’s jurisdiction doesn’t include the roads surrounding gravel pits — leading to the permit’s approval.

While there a number of pits operating in the township, this pit is the first to be opened following the passage of the township’s gravel pit ordinance in 2014.

Johnson explained that unlike the other pits, which were grandfathered into the ordinance, this gravel pit had to complete a number of requirements before the commission could approve its permit, including posting a bond for remediation purposes.

Johnson said the pit operator had also successfully completed the necessary county permits, including the soil erosion permit, to begin operations.

The commission also passed a resolution to begin the periodic five-year review of the township’s master plan.