Sand mine request to go before La Salle planning commission

Farmland in La Salle could be the next sand mine for La Salle County.  Josh and Dan Voss of Quality Sand Products are asking the city for permission to create a sand mine on more than 100 acres of land north of Interstate 80 and west of Hickory Hollow Campground.  The city council took the request Tuesday night.

Mayor Jeff Grove says he’ll support the proposal if it is in the best interest of the La Salle.  He says the site that’s proposed for the mine is prime property for retail development.

The Voss’s don’t own the property yet.  They are asking for a special use permit to allow mining in an area zoned M-1, light industrial.  The planning commission will consider it before making a recommendation to the city council.  Anyone for or against a mine would have a chance to comment at a public hearing.

New alderman John Duncan the third wonders if the property would have to be rezoned to accommodate a mine.  Coincidentally, Duncan was an attorney representing Illinois Sand during the public hearings held by the Village of Utica last year.