A south Wichita dirt and sand-mining operation will be allowed to more than double in size and add a rock crusher, despite complaints from neighbors that dust from the existing operation already keeps them inside their homes during the day.
The Wichita City Council turned aside the neighbors’ protests and upheld a Planning Commission recommendation to allow Wichita home developer Jay Russell to expand a 20-acre topsoil operation into a 47-acre sand and gravel pit on the east bank of the Arkansas River south of East 55th Street South.
In addition, the council approved the use of a mobile crusher at the site to process salvaged asphalt and concrete into gravel for up to three months a year. The Planning Commission voted 8-1 to approve the plan; the District Advisory Board, which also heard from the neighbors, voted 7-0 for denial.
The council sided with the Planning Commission on a 6-1 vote, with Brandon Johnson in opposition.
Afterward, neighbors said they were disappointed in the council vote and expect things to get worse as mining operations expand.
“Dust. My kids can’t even play outside when they’re running trucks,” said Megan Miller, who lives adjacent to the site. “It’s summer. My kids want to be outside and play. We’re stuck inside until they’re done for the day.”
The mining generally starts between 6 and 7 a.m. and runs until about 6 p.m., said neighbor Rustin Atkeisson, who lives across the dirt street from the site.
(Read more: Local News |)