The Chelsea community has spoken: “Deny the Mine”

A standing room only crowd of over 500 people filled the Washinton Street Education Center on Thursday, March 13 to voice their opposition to the proposed McCoig Materials, Inc. sand and gravel mining operation in Lyndon Township.

McCoig Materials, Inc. has applied for a special land use permit to allow for the operation of a mine on properties on M-52 across from Green Lake currently zoned R-R, or rural residential.

Local heavy hitters Jeff Daniels and State Rep. Gretchen Driskell, D-Saline, were among the almost 30 people who stood up to address the planning commission in this continued public hearing. No one spoke in favor of the proposed mining operation.

Among the other speakers were area residents, scientists of various disciplines, and even a man from Wayne, who said he drives more than 40 miles to the area to take advantage of its hiking and biking trails.

Concerns ranged from decreased property values and environmental impact, to public safety, noise, dust, and traffic congestion.

Daniels spoke of what his late father, Chelsea Lumber owner Bob Daniels might have said in a situation like this. “Even if it’s good for business, if it’s not good for Chelsea, it’s not good for the lumber company.” In response to the proposed McCoig plan to turn Stofer Hill into a lake when mining is completed in 30 years time, Daniels said, “Take a look around (this area) – the last thing we need is another lake 30 years from now.”

Driskell said that addressing the potential “very serious consequences” language in the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act 110 of 2006 is the only opportunity for public input, and encouraged everyone concerned to make their voice heard. “I feel that a mining operation doesn’t fit with the Lyndon Master Plan as a rural and recreational community,” she said.

City of Chelsea Planning Commission Chair George Kinzer addressed concerns about the potential haul route. According to McCoig, up to 160 double trailer trucks would travel back and forth through Chelsea on M-52 between the proposed mine and I-94. Kinzer stated that there are four schools in Chelsea with parents and children driving and walking to school.

In addition, he said, within three years, there will also be high-speed passenger train service going through Chelsea crossing the haul route, as well as the many Jiffy trucks already using M-52. Kinzer stated that this just is not a safe situation for the community.

Concerns were also raised about the effect on emergency response times.

After closing public comment, the Lyndon Planning Commission decided it will forward its questions in writing to McCoig Materials within the next two weeks, and McCoig has promised to respond to these questions, as well as complete a traffic study on M-52 by the next Lyndon Planning meeting, which is scheduled for April 10.

McCoig’s special land use permit will not be on the planning commission’s agenda until the May 15 meeting.

Lyndon Planning Commission Chairman Kevin McLughlin stated that they will probably hold the May 15 meeting in the Chelsea Senior Center Auditorium, as another large crowd is expected.

He said that a decision isn’t expected to be made on the McCoig special land use application until the June 12 meeting at the earliest.

The deadline for the public to submit letters for the planning commission to consider is June 12.