HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 2004 0616 CC REG ITEM 09FTO:
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DATE:
MOORPARK CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA REPORT
Honorable City Council
ITEM q' 5-
Barry K. Hogan, Community Development Directo
By David A. Bobardt, Planning Manager
June 4, 2004 (CC Meeting of 06/16/04)
SUBJECT: Consider the Creation of an Ad -Hoc Committee of the
Moorpark City Council Pertaining to the Proposed
Expansion of the Three Grimes Canyon Sand and Gravel
Quarries and to Meet with Representatives of the City
of Fillmore City Council
BACKGROUND
For several years, staff has been tracking expansion proposals
by three (3) sand and gravel mining operations in unincorporated
Ventura County: Grimes Rock, Best Rock, and Wayne J. Sand and
Gravel. The proposed expansion of operations, although
different for each company, involves increased number of
truckloads permitted, increased hours of operation, increased
days of operation, and elimination of restrictions on haul
routes. On November 13, 2003, the County of Ventura issued a
Notice of Preparation of an Environmental Impact Report (EIR)
for each of the mining operation expansion proposals, and staff
provided responses to all three notices. The EIRs are now being
prepared, and should be publicly released within the next few
months. These proposed mining operation expansions would affect
both Moorpark and Fillmore with the potential doubling of heavy
truck traffic on State Route 23 between the two cities.
DISCUSSION
The following summarizes the requests of each of the operations:
Best Rock Products Corporation - The existing Conditional Use
Permit has expired and the applicant is operating under
permission granted by the County Planning Division while the
renewal application is under consideration. The applicant is
requesting a time extension from the year 2000 to the year 2025,
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Honorable City Council
June 16, 2004
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an expansion of the permit boundary from 122 acres to 208 acres,
an increase in production from 1.4 million tons per year to 2.5
million tons per year, an increase from 460 average one -way
truck trips per day to 680 average one -way truck trips per day,
an increase from 680 maximum one -way truck trips per day to 696
maximum one -way truck trips per day, an expansion of permitted
operating days to include Saturday, an increase in permitted
operating hours to allow operations to go to one (1) hour after
sunset (currently permitted to operate from 6:00 A.M. to dusk),
and the ability to use Walnut Canyon Road as a haul route
(currently not permitted).
Grimes Rock, Inc. - The applicant is requesting a time extension
of the permit from 2013 to 2025, an expansion of the permit
boundary from 164 to 209 acres, an increase in production from
952,000 tons per year to 1,782,000 tons per year, an increase
from 300 maximum one -way truck trips per day to 460 average and
600 maximum one -way truck trips per day, an expansion of
permitted operating days to include Saturday, and the ability to
use Walnut Canyon Road as a haul route (currently not
permitted).
Wayne J. Sand and Gravel - The applicant is requesting a time
extension of the permit from 2012 to 2025, an expansion of the
permit boundary from 80 to 200 acres, an increase in production
from 300,000 tons per year to 1,000,000 tons per year, an
increase from 72 average one -way truck trips per day to 460
average one -way truck trips per day, an increase from 100
maximum one -way truck trips per day to 600 maximum one -way truck
trips per day, and an increase in permitted operating hours to
allow operations 24 hours per day, Monday through Saturday
(currently permitted from 6:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M. Monday through
Saturday).
The primary concern for the City of Moorpark has been the truck
trips through residential areas and downtown. Although Best Rock
and Grimes Rock are restricted by permit condition from using
Walnut Canyon Road as a haul route, this condition is difficult
to enforce since the truck drivers generally do not work for the
mine operators. The sand and gravel trucks typically travel on
Walnut Canyon Road to Moorpark Avenue to Los Angeles Avenue (and
sometimes High Street) because it is the quickest route to the
freeway. If the three permit expansion requests are approved,
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Honorable City Council
June 16, 2004
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sand and gravel truck trips through Moorpark could double over
existing conditions.
The City of Fillmore would also be significantly affected by the
mining permit expansions, as the sand and gravel trucks travel
both north and south on State Route 23 from the mines. Staff
from Fillmore has also been closely tracking these proposals and
expressing their concerns to the County. Most of their concerns
focus on the need for mitigation to traffic impacts on and near
the intersection of A Street and State Highway 126, along with
more active enforcement of permit conditions by the County.
Fillmore's Council members have informally expressed an interest
in developing an ad -hoc committee with representatives from both
Fillmore and Moorpark to discuss common concerns. Such a
committee could potentially develop a common response to the
County for consideration by both City Councils. If formed,
staff to the ad -hoc committee would be the Community Development
Department.
STAFF RECObMNDATION
Appoint two Council members to serve on an ad -hoc committee to
review the proposed expansion of the three Grimes Canyon sand
and gravel mines and direct staff to send a letter to the City
of Fillmore inviting participation by two of its Council
members.
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