Waupaca County supervisors voted 23-3 Tuesday, May 19 to amend the county’s non-metallic mining ordinance.
Voting against the resolution to amend the ordinance were Supervisors Bob Ellis, Joe McClone and Fred Zaug.
The ordinance sets requirements for companies and individuals seeking permits to establish sand and gravel operations in Waupaca County.
Ellis criticized the amended ordinance for providing a “one-size fits all process that seems a little unfair for the little guy and real easy for the big guy.”
Ellis said most of the people who asked that the ordinance be more restrictive were primarily concerned about how large-scale sand mining operations would affect their property values.
“Everyone of those taxpayers is at risk,” he said.
Ellis also noted that the amended ordinance does little to protect water quality for homeowners located near large sand mines.
“This process is more detailed rather than more lenient,” according to Patrick Henneger, an attorney for the county who was at Tuesday’s county board meeting.
“We’ve been working on this ordinance nigh onto two years,” said Supervisor Jack Penney. “We have heard from people from throughout the county.”
Penney described the new ordinance as “one of the best in the state.”
He said it was not perfect, but the zoning committee could make changes over time as the ordinance is implemented.