Waupaca Co. committee sends sand mine issue back to town

WAUPACA - A proposed sand mine slated for the town of Union in Waupaca County remains in limbo. A final vote on the controversial project was put off by the county’s planning and zoning committee.  

The mine promises to bring millions of dollars and more than 30 jobs into Waupaca County. It would go on 160 acres of land in the town of Union and mainly supply the Waupaca Foundry.

A.F. Gelhar’s project just needed the go ahead from the committee. But multiple concerns were raised at Thursday’s meeting, and in the end, the five committee members decided to send the matter back to the town of Union. They want clarification on the town’s 2,000 foot buffer between a residential property and an actively mined area.

 “The town does not know exactly where that 2,000 foot came from, or if the 2,000 foot is actually what they had meant to have in the comprehensive plan, and the committee has some issues with that. And that was the basis why the town had denied their decision for this non-metallic mine,” said Waupaca County planning and zoning director Ryan Brown.

Those against the mine said it could threaten the environment. Kelly Ramstack of the town of Union is concerned about water contamination and blasting in the area. She said she had hoped for a “no” vote that would put an end to the controversial project.

“Even if 2,000 feet was a typo, and it was supposed to be 200, there is still a residence within 143 feet of the property line. So I just feel like this is being dragged on too long,” Ramstack said.

The company behind the mining project is also disappointed the committee failed to vote on the plans. A.F. Gelhar’s attorney said all the information about the project was given up front, and now this.

“We kept the door open to say if you have any questions or concerns please ask us and we didn’t receive any questions, so it was surprising for us to get here today and say that we hadn’t provided information,” said A.F. Gelhar’s corporate counsel Steve Sorenson.

Foundry officials, who are counting on sand from the mining operation, said they were also counting on a “yes” vote by committee members.

 “We have a long term supply concern for sand. Sand is an incredible component to our operation but I think with time I think they made perhaps a wise choice to send it back to the town of Union and make the changes and then come back and make an informed decision,” said John Wiesbrock with the Waupaca Foundry.

The county’s planning and zoning director said it could be two to three months before the committee would take up the matter again for a vote.