City of Lincoln  
City of Lincoln
Planning

Review of Mining Standards

 

Community Comments

Updated: December 30, 2008

Study Purpose and Scope

The past several years have seen an increase in the number of applications received by the Planning Department for the excavation and removal for sale of soil for road-building and other construction activities. The locations of these sites surround the city, with some concentration to the north, due to contracts to improve Interstate 80. Mining and the extraction of sand, gravel and soil is allowed within the City jurisdiction (city limits and the 3-mile zoning jurisdiction) by Special Permit in the AG, AGR, R-3, B-2, H-2, H-3, H-4 and I-1 Districts. Sections 27.63.160 and 27.63.360 of the City code provide conditions of approval for operations approved by Special Permit. These conditions deal with filling requirements, grading, erosion control, groundwater concerns, vehicle storage and entrance, and other issues. Beyond the 3-mile zoning jurisdiction, the County regulates mining operations in the AG and AGR Districts by Special Permit under Article 13.001(14) (no conditions codified).

Over the past couple of years, rural residents have expressed concerns that some of the standards and conditions of approval are inadequate, and enforcement is lacking. In response, Planning Commissioners and Planning staff discussed the issue with the City Council and County Board, and staff has organized meetings with various stakeholders, including other departments and agencies, mining contractors, and interested neighbors.

The Planning Department prepared a draft list of suggested improvements to the current mining standards and enforcement policies. The Planning Commission was briefed on these suggestions at a workshop on July 30, 2008. Following the workshop, the suggestions, as revised by the Commission, were sent out to various stakeholders for comments. The public was invited to provide feedback via an on-line comments page. The City Council and County Board were briefed at their Commons meeting September 2, 2008.

Study Process and Timing

Based on the comments received during the process outlined above, staff prepared suggested zoning changes to the City and County Zoning Codes. County Change of Zone 08071 and Change of Zone 08072 were filed on December 19, 2008. Staff will brief the Planning Commission on the proposed changes at 12:00 Noon on January 14, 2009 in Room 113 of the County-City Building. Public hearing before the Planning Commission is scheduled for January 28, 2009.

Staff Contact

To arrange for a presentation on the proposed new standards for your organization, or for further information, contact Mike DeKalb by email or phone at 441-6370.

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