Big Lake council formally opposes gravel mine

BIG LAKE — The Community Council voted to rescind its original letter of no objection and write a letter of objection in regard to an application for a gravel operation off of West Lakes Boulevard.

The application was submitted by Bill and Helen Heairet to level nine acres off a ridge on their 40-acre lot on the north shore of Big Lake. It would allow for 1,000 gravel trucks to come off the property every year for 14 years.

In January, the community council voted to send a letter of no objection to the Borough Planning Commission. Due to a backlash from the community, the council re-opened the issue at its February meeting, but tabled the vote until Wednesday night.

On Wednesday, the vote on the motion to rescind the letter was 18 to 16, and the vote to send a letter of objection was 19 to 13.

Council President Bill O’Hara said the winning arguments were: loss of property value, increased noise, wear on the road and dust caused by the operation.

The Community Council’s vote is just a recommendation. The Borough Planning Commission is expected to make a final decision on April 6 at 6 p.m.

These hot-button issues are disruptive to the Community Council, said O’Hara, packing the meetings with hot tempers and people who don’t normally show up.

“It’s tiring being at meetings with 10 to 20 people making all the decisions when 3,000 people live out here. Eighty percent don’t vote, but 100 percent complain,” he said. “If people would get involved, if they would come to the meetings, and if they would read their mail, this could have been solved at the first meeting.”

However, O’Hara hopes it has raised awareness about the council to the residents of Big Lake.

“We’ll see what happens out of this. I think there may be some that stay in the action, and I certainly hope so.”