County planners support mining expansion in Barre
ALBION – The Orleans County Planning Board is backing the expansion of a quarry in Barre.
Keeler Construction/Barre Stone Products has acquired land to expand its quarry by 24 acres at 14120 West Lee Rd. The parcel is surrounded on three sides by Keeler’s existing quarry.
The state Department of Environmental Conservation holds jurisdiction over mining and excavating activities. However, local communities retain control over where there should be quarries, the County Planning Board said.
The Keeler expansion “is the next logical step in the life of the quarry,” planners said.
Keeler could start mining from the site later this year. It plans to go down about 30 feet to the mine the high-quality dolomite.
The final reclamation plan includes the entire quarry and will result in a 220-acre freshwater lake, varying 20 to 70 feet in depth.
In other action, the Planning Board:
• Recommended the Town of Ridgeway approve the site plan for a pool services and supply business at 3932 Salt Words Rd., which is in the Light Industrial district.
Sarah and Joshua Ferguson are running a business, Express Pool and Spa, from the site. They sell pool supplies, covers, chemicals and parts, heaters, filters and pumps, as well as in-ground and above-ground pools. Joshua also operates JKF Services, for which he performs handyman services.
• Recommended the Town of Yates approve the site plan for a 40-by-80-foot storage building at 10708 Millers Rd. This property was rezoned on April 11 from Agricultural/Residential to Industrial.
The building will serve the Medina Window business, which is owned by Merle Yoder. The addition will allow Yoder to store windows and window materials.
• Recommended the Town of Shelby approve the site plan and special use permit for an aesthetic pond at 10500 West Shelby Rd. in an Agricultural/Residential District.
Tim Winters is seeking approval for the pond. The town requires 100-foot side and rear setbacks for ponds. Winters is requesting variances of 80 feet for the setbacks. If the town insists on the setbacks at 100 feet, Winters won’t be able to have the pond in the most poorly drained area of the property, planners said.
