SMART GROWTH COMMITTEE:

The Smart Growth Committee is setting in place the basic pattern for the future of our community. Thelen wants to have the mining INCLUDED in the plan to support his eventual conversion of his land to mining. Once adopted the plan will limit what can happen. It is essential that the plan not include mining near residential development, just as it is essential that the plan preserve green space and not lose the characteristics of the community that the residents want to maintain, such as peace, quiet, healthy environment, etc.

RANDALL TOWN BOARD:

The Randall Town Board is our local government representing the people of Randall most directly. They do not have direct zoning authority. But they do have the ability to either “recommend” or “disapprove of” the proposal before the Kenosha County Board. In most cases the Kenosha County Board follows the recommendations of the Town Board, so it is an important step. Also, the Randall Board, if it were to carry out the wishes of the electorate, to maintain the quiet rural residential characteristic of our town, could turn down the zoning change request, giving our community a last chance to prevent the mine even if the county board would somehow approve it. It is therefore important that we make our case effectively at the Town Board level so that they are very clear on the needs and concerns of the citizens of the community.

KENOSHA COUNTY PLANNING AND ZONING:

The first formal approval step that Thelen needs to undertake is to get the proposal in front of Kenosha County Planning and Zoning. The staff reviews the proposal, works out conditions and questions, and sets a PUBLIC HEARING. After the public hearing, it goes to the Kenosha County Board of Supervisors for decision. This can all happen at the same meeting, so once the proposal goes in expect it to possibly move very quickly. The Board of Supervisors can disregard the opinion of the planning and zoning committee or staff and either approve it or disapprove it regardless of what the committee did. However, if the Committee recommends it, it is obviously much easier for it to pass at the Board level.

KENOSHA COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:

This is the body that actually approves or disapproves the zoning and use change. In order for the mine to go through, it must have a zoning change from A-1 Agricultural Preserve to M-3 Mining. Then it requires a special conditional use permit because sand and gravel mining is considered to be noxious, noisy and polluting in principle and must therefore go through added reviews and steps. There are also reclamation steps to be accomplished in the proposal. However, if they do not understand both sides of the issue, or understand how many people care about it, it can easily pass. Therefore, it is essential we reach out and communicate with the Kenosha County Board members, explain our concerns and show them the number of people who care about this issue. These are elected officials and they need to hear from us, the voters.

SPRING GROVE:

Spring Grove Illinois is our neighbor immediately to the south, just across the border. We already get substantial dust and inconvenience due to the mining going on there, and they are fighting to prevent a further Thelen mine expansion there. We can get a lot of information from the people in Spring Grove because they have had to live with these gravel pits for many years already and have experienced the air pollution, dust, health impacts, property value concerns, etc. and the mines keep getting closer and closer to their homes because Thelen keeps adding to his initial “small” start in the community there. We can also aid them in slowing down or preventing further mining in areas that are too densely populated, such as here, and there.

EPA and DNR:

These governmental agencies, Federal and State, may have some impact on the eventual proposal and it is therefore essential that we reach out and meet with them. Kenosha County is considered a “non attainment” area for particulate matter air pollution, making it subject to much stronger controls than areas that are below the safe level thresholds. Sand and gravel mining adds pollution to the air, including particulate matter, and thus, increases the problem rather than solves it. They also tend to use a lot of ground water and Kenosha County is experiencing faster drawdown of our aquifer than it can be recharged. Obviously there are major environmental and health safety issues that these agencies need to be involved with.

WISCONSIN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION:

This governmental body has already expressed their concern about the closing of the Westosha Airport that would take place if the proposal is approved.

MISCELLANEOUS WIDER INITIATIVES FOR REVIEW:

Not everything happens in front of governmental bodies or solely related to Thelen’s proposal. Ideas such as adopting a “Saukville-type” ordinance in Kenosha county provide general protection to people throughout the county. Other proposals include offering to buy the farm to preserve the green space, which need to be reviewed.

NEGOTIATIONS WITH THELEN:

The Thelen’s at some point may be open to negotiations with the community to achieve a balanced result. While we are set against mining in an area with too much residential density and because it conflicts with both the present and the desired future nature of our community, there are clearly other possible outcomes other than mining to be considered. For instance, the “buy the farm” proposal is something to talk about…..

QUESTIONS? This is our basic understanding of the process involved. If you have questions or can add further points for us to consider, please be sure to contact us.

You can get lots of information and background from our website at www.gravelisthepits.com