Supervisors grant five year extension to sand pit

Winneshiek County supervisors voted 4-1 Monday to approve a five-year extension of the Quandahl-Wiltgen Conditional Use Permit for a quarry in northern Winneshiek County. 

Neighbors of the sandy quarry attended the supervisor meeting on Monday.  They praised Wiltgen Construction's operation of the quarry.  They especially praised Wiltgen's operating rules requiring quarry trucks to drive slowly in the neighborhood.  "Having the trucks go slowly makes a huge difference," said Craig Mosher.

But neighbors also asked the supervisors to extend the conditional use permit for one year, not five years.  Birgitta Meade said the sand market is undergoing volatile changes and while Wiltgen is doing a good job of operating a quarry, a future operator might not be as cooperative.  "If an out of state corporation is thinking about starting up a similar operation, we want to send a message that we have a civilized system," said Meade.

But supervisors said they had not received any complaints about the quarry and that there are options open to the neighbors if problems arise.  Supervisor Bill Ibanez favored the one-year extension, but the other four supervisors granted Wiltgen the five year extension.