Winter Brothers Sand and Gravel Plant proposal

In 2001, Winter Brothers Material Company presented an application to the City of Eureka for a sand and gravel mine in an area located directly south of Rte. 66 State Park. At that time, Winter Brothers requested the use of city streets in order to transport their product. Amid much public outcry and concern regarding the number of dump trucks and the use of City streets, Winter Brothers withdrew their application.

Well, here we go again -

Winter Brothers has been working, quietly, on circumventing the use of the streets situated in the City of Eureka. MoDot has issued them a permit to use a portion of Rte. 66 State Park's outer road in order to access Interstate Hwy 44. The estimated number of dump trucks that will be using this access is between 20-25 per hour (this is based on Winter Brothers' own estimate).

The proposed sand and gravel plant will be located on 900 acres and the estimated presence in the valley is 40 years or more. Of the 900 acres, 245 acres are located within the City of Eureka and is zoned R-1 (residential). The Winter Brothers' petition would be asking the City to rezone this FP and ask for a special use permit. They require this rezoning and special use permit to access the property located in unincorporated St. Louis County.

According to the City of Eureka's Municipal Code: “Section 23-11. PURPOSE. This Chapter is adopted to update the zoning provisions of this Code, and to promote health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare; to secure economic and coordinated land use in accord with the"Eureka City Plan"; and to facilitate the adequate provision of public improvements.”

Presently, there are 654 homes located near the proposed site, most of those are located within City limits, there is a nursing home and assisted living facility located within City limits and near the proposed site. Outside the city limits, there is a luxury home development and several luxury homes lining the bluffs that would overlook the operation. Directly north is Route 66 State Park.

We are asking the City of Eureka to consider the following:

• The relationship of extraction and associated activities with existing land uses.

• The impact on existing land uses in the vicinity of the property.

• The impact on property values in the vicinity of the property and along the proposed hauling route serving the property, based on credible evidence.

• The impact on pedestrian and traffic safety in the vicinity of the property and along the proposed hauling route serving the property.

• The impact on other identifiable health, safety, and welfare interests in the local unit of government.

• The overall public interest in the extraction of the specific natural resources on the property.

Let’s briefly examine these factors:

• Existing land use: The proposed gravel and sand mine site is zoned 245 acres Residential and the remainder is Floodplain Non-Urban. For decades this land has been leased to a local farmer and, currently, is used for farming. There are homes in the area, many depend on wells. There are existing businesses located near the proposed entrance/exit. Clearly, a sand and gravel mine is not compatible with existing land use.

• Land use in the vicinity: The vicinity includes Rte. 66 State Park which allows and promotes, pedestrians, bike riders and equestrians is located in the area. It is also part of the Meramec River Basin and provides access points for boating and anglers. The noise, dust and constant truck traffic of a mine operation would completely disrupt all land use in the vicinity.

• Property values: Multiple studies (including Hite, Ericheck, Lansink) show that sand and gravel mining operations lower property values as much as 39 percent — if you can sell your house at all.

• Pedestrian and traffic safety: The proposed 20-25 dump trucks per hour represents a dramatic increase in commercial truck traffic. This will create a hazard to pedestrians and cyclists in the area. In addition, the traffic flow would be substantially impacted at the ingress and egress points to Interstate Hwy. 44, this is already a challenging portion of highway. The condition and quality of the roads in the area will also be negatively impacted due to increased weight and use of the commercial vehicles.

• Health and safety: Potential threats to public health and safety include, but are not limited to, particulate pollution, noise pollution, impact on groundwater and wells and negative impact on habitat and Native American artifacts.

• Public interest: There are already two similar operations in the area. According to the proposal, any jobs created would, at most, be 5.

Basing the permit decision on the superficial impact studies provided by the permit applicant is asking the fox to guard the hen house. Independent impact studies are essential to avoid conflict of interest in further assessing the proposed mine’s full impact. We also request Winter Brothers use the Full Cost Accounting System when calculating the economic impact on the community.

The law empowers the City of Eureka with the authority to deny the permit.

We urge the City of Eureka to avoid inflicting very serious consequences on our community and deny the rezoning and permit when and, if, it comes before them.

Terry and Laine Jeep – residents of the City of Eureka