April 30, 2015
C'ville okays zone change for gravel pit
CORTLANDVILLE — Plans by Suit-Kote Corp. to build a gravel pit in Polkville came a step closer to fruition Tuesday night after the town Planning Board endorsed a zoning change needed to advance the project.
The Cortlandville-based asphalt company wants to rezone roughly 90 acres of former farmland it purchased near its existing mine along Route 11 to continue its mining operations. It would use 56 acres for the mine. It is unclear what the rest of the land would be used for because a site plan has not been submitted yet.
The three parcels of land making up the property are zoned agricultural and would need to be zoned industrial for mining operations to commence.
During the meeting, Kathy Bennett, an attorney representing Suit-Kote, said after speaking with town officials, rezoning the property would be best since the changes would be consistent with other operations in the area.
“In conversations with the town earlier this year, it was determined that the most appropriate course of action would be for the applicant to seek a zone change for that property,” Bennett said.
The new gravel mine would be located next to where Suit-Kote has a 105-acre mine near the proposed site, which the company has said is nearing the end of its life span.
In February, the state Department of Environmental Conservation granted Suit-Kote a permit to conduct regulated activities at the site under the state Mine Land Reclamation Law after concluding a seven-year review of the proposed project.
The proposed zoning change was also reviewed and backed by the Cortland County Planning Board during its regular meeting on April 16.
Both the county and town planning boards noted that even with the changes, Suit-Kote will still need to obtain a conditional permit before work can get started.
Town Supervisor Dick Tupper said this morning the town planning board will have the final say in the issuance of that permit. He said a public hearing has to be held before the Town Board votes on the zoning change.
The public hearing is likely to take place two weeks after the board’s regular meeting scheduled for 5 p.m. at the McGraw Senior Center on May 6.
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