Gravel pit at the center of debate

PALMER — The Palmer Planning and Zoning Commission will forward their recommendation to the Palmer City Council to allow the gravel pit on Rebarchek Road next to the Alaska State Fairgrounds to be used for gravel extraction and subsequent filling once the Glenn Highway project is complete. The ordinance was amended to eliminate implementation of an asphalt plant but allow gravel extraction to continue in the area until the Glenn Highway construction is completed.

Of those who packed Palmer City Hall for the public comment, 11 of the 12 who spoke were opposed to the ordinance. Concerns over water and air pollution from the existing gravel pit persisted. The pit was granted a 10-year conditional use permit in 2004 that was extended in 2014 until 2024. The Conditional Use Permit has been extended another five years. Though the explosion of subdivisions in the area were not built when the gravel pit was dug in the 1960s the expansion of the residential areas was a major concern for homeowners. An online petition circulated by homeowners got 440 signatures of people opposing the gravel pit. Teri Loyer, who shares a border on the corner of her property with the gravel pit owned by Alaska Demolition, said that the water quality has made it undrinkable and it will have an orange film along the water. She said that health problems for her horses have persisted, and that one eventually went blind due to the pollution. Kate Graber noted that 295 homes that house more than 1,000 people are in the one square mile radius of the gravel pit. Bill Aube noted that the original CUP has been more than doubled, and wonders if the pit will ever be filled. The Alaska State Fair has a handshake agreement with Justin Green who owns Alaska Demolition that once the pit is filled, it will be handed over to the fair to become parking. Michael Rovito suggested the old Kertulla homestead as a better location, farther away from residential housing, for the asphalt plant. Rovito also suggested that the Planning and Zoning Commission add a stipulation that if the wind blows harder than 10mph, operations be shut down. That drew audible laughter from the 50 some people in attendance. Commissioners expressed concern over air and water pollution and eventually took a five minute at ease. Following the at ease, the amendment was put forward to eliminate the asphalt plant. Planning and Zoning Commission chair Dan Lucas offered the amendment that removed the asphalt production.

“...with the hope that that will help accelerate the filling of the hole which is the primary goal of the conditional use permit,” Lucas said.