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The Winona City Planning Commission will discuss penning a nonconformity agreement with Biesanz Stone Quarry to regulate expansion of the mine at Monday’s meeting. Biesanz is the first site analysis presentation stemming from the moratorium study timeline.
City staff is recommending the agreement instead of a conditional use permit (CUP), stating, “it is more flexible than a generic CUP and thus a better fit for an existing grandfathered use.”
The quarry has been producing stone and various aggregate products since 1904. It was annexed into the city and was “grandfathered” in as nonconforming, meaning it could continue operating but could not expand.
Ten stipulations are recommended to the agreement to regulate where the mine can move, how deep it can be and hours of operation. A fugitive dust plan and mine plan must also be submitted.
The recommendations also support the submission of an Environmental Assessment Worksheet if the operation wishes to excavate for sand outside its 2011 mine footprint.
According the recommendations, the City will give Biesanz up to 12 months to produce a detailed mine and reclamation plan. A performance bond of 110 percent of the estimated cost of reclamation for the quarry’s life, plus two years, is also recommended to ensure the plan will be complete.
The Planning Commission will meet Monday at 4:30 in the Council Chambers of City Hall.
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