Tew’s applies to permit new Church Road gravel pit

MEADOW LAKES — The community council will meet Friday to collect feedback on a proposed gravel pit near the Church Ridge subdivision on Church Road.

Tew’s Construction of Big Lake has filed to obtain an administrative permit to remove about 100,000 cubic yards of gravel over two years, according to council coordinator Tim Swezey. Officials plan to hold a public meeting from 7 to 9 p.m., Aug. 8 at the Birch Creek Villa, 1210 N. Kim Dr., off Pittman Road.

According to Swezey and the application permit, approximately five acres of a 40-acre parcel will be mined for the gravel. If approved, mining would begin once the permit is approved and continue seven days per week until the end of construction season.

The company is aiming for a minimalist approach, officials with Tew’s wrote in their permit application.

“Due to the future development plans of Residential/Commercial Subdivision a traditional ‘pit’ is not desired,” the application reads in part. “Reclamation will consist of infrastructure and pads. Stockpiled topsoil will be utilized to revegetate areas throughout development. Land will be reclaimed by 2017.”

The property currently contains a commercial auto shop undergoing remodeling, as well as a large car impound area and salvage yard, according to the permit.

“It is the owner’s intention to clean up the property for commercial use,” the application reads.

The meeting is designed to gauge public opinion related to the site, Swezey said.

“I’m kind of sitting the fence,” he said. “One of the things we’ve discovered is that the topology of these parcels can be very challenging.”

Borough officials and representatives for Tew’s were unavailable for comment Thursday afternoon.

The lot owners eventually plan to turn the existing lot into the Vintage Acres subdivision, according to the permit application.