Boone County sand and gravel firm’s request to expand operation draws concern from residents

Residents voiced concern at a Boone County Planning Commission meeting Wednesday after a sand and gravel company requested a zoning change that would allow it to expand its existing operation.

The commission conducted a public hearing regarding Northern Kentucky Aggregates, Inc.’s request for a Zoning Map Amendment from Rural Suburban to Industrial Three Surface Mining for an area located at 3989 Belleview Road in Boone County. According to the Boone County Planning Commission, the request is for the expansion of an existing sand and gravel operation. 

Northern Kentucky Aggregates has operated its existing sand and gravel mining operations on Belleview Road since 1967 and has been actively supplying sand and gravel to construction, road and industrial projects in the Northern Kentucky area for almost 50 years, according to the Northern Kentucky Aggregates application addendum. The company noted it has made significant contributions to the development and infrastructure of the region and has a strong collaboration with local organizations. 

Northern Kentucky Aggregates revealed berm and landscaping plans within the scope during Wednesday’s presentation before the Boone County Planning Commission. The application addendum indicates Northern Kentucky Advocates is seeking to shift its mining operations to property currently owned by the Hitzfield family. 

Tim Hitzfield, one of the property owners, addressed the Boone County Planning Commission during the public hearing portion of the session. 

“This piece of property has been in our family since 1843,” he said. “It was originally put together by an ancestor out of pieces. It’s been farmed by our family since 1843. There’s been multiple crops there. It’s currently leased for corn and soybean production. I farmed it up until 1998, along with my brothers, my dad and my uncle.”

Hitzfield said their property has shared a border with Northern Kentucky Aggregates for many years and there have never been any issues.

“They’ve been very up front with everything they were going to do,” he said. “This is not something we’ve just come to willy-nilly. This is a piece of property that’s been in our family for a long, long time. I hope, along with my brothers and family, that the perspective I’ve tried to give you gives you insight into what that property is about.”

Most of the homes in the area use well water, said Adena Trail and Lucas Park property owner Robert D. Hall.

“Are there any assurances our well water is going to be secured and maintained,” Hall asked. “That’s what we use for all of our house water.”

Northern Kentucky Aggregates Engineering Manager Cory Kiser assured Hall that the water will not be affected.

“There will be no change in anyone’s well levels,” Kiser said. “Sand and gravel is still an excellent transmission method for groundwater to flow through. As far as water quality goes, there’s nothing that would really change the water quality. I don’t see any water quality being affected at all – whether it’s the level of your well or water quality.” 

Adena Trail property owner James Crawford also expressed concerns over the water.

“My concerns are, no matter how many assurances you can grant or propose, once that’s contaminated, basically you have no potable water within a mile of that gravel mine,” Crawford said.

Crawford says his well has been drilled since 1973 and if the operations begin, they will be dredging less than 350 feet from his well.

“I’m very concerned about the quality of my water,” Crawford said. “If you can’t be absolutely sure that we’re not going to lose our water supply, could someone in this group approach Boone County Water District? I spent 50 years fixing this place up to make it my forever home. I just can’t have my water compromised.”

Kiser responded that they had not approached the Boone County Water District.

“We’d be happy to talk with them about it,” Kiser said. “We can certainly come up with a letter. We can work with (residents) if there is a well complaint, because I’m confident we’re not going to have any effect on it.” 

After the Northern Kentucky Aggregates presentation and public hearing, Boone County Planning Commission officials noted the board could possibly vote on the zoning amendment at 7 p.m. on Aug. 2 in the Boone County Administration Building Fiscal Courtroom.