Mining ordinance hearing canceled

SANDPOINT — A hearing on Bonner County’s proposed overhaul of its mining ordinance has been canceled.

The Bonner County Planning & Zoning Commission was scheduled to take up the matter today.

Bonner County Commission Chairman Dan McDonald said it was his understanding that the proceeding was canceled so P&Z could conduct further work on the ordinance, which would allow the county to administratively approve permits for surface mines in certain zoning districts, meaning public hearings on such proposals would not be conducted.

The code change would allow Planning Director Milton Ollerton to administratively approve or deny certain mining operations via a certificate of compliance.

The code amendment would allow the department to approve batch plants in Forestry, Agricultural/Forestry and Rural zones.

Permanent mining operations — those operating for a minimum of five years — would allow attendant retail sales of material, batch plant operations and rock crushing operations, according to the code change.

Temporary mining operations — those lasting for less than five years — in those zones would be allowed, although the retail sales of materials and batch plant operations would be prohibited, the code change states.

Plants and pits would not be allowed in incorporated cities’ areas of city impact, the code change said.

Appeals of administrative decisions can be appealed to the board of county commissioners.

Opponents of a plan to relocate an asphalt batch plant from Sandpoint to an existing gravel pit on the west side of U.S. Highway 95 in Sagle have criticized the code overhaul and are calling on residents around the county to oppose the code amendment.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.