Though several residents Tuesday expressed concerns over a proposed sand mining operation in South Bryan at a regularly scheduled county commission meeting, commissioners approved a zoning change that would allow the project.
Paula Massey’s request for a zoning change of approximately 10 acres off of Belfast River Road from an A-5, or agricultural, to an A-5CD, or agricultural conditional, was unanimously approved by commissioners. Massey intends to host a sand mining operation on the parcel, which is a conditional use for an agriculturally zoned piece of property.
The county’s planning and zoning board unanimously recommended approval of rezoning the property at its April 5 meeting. The sand mine, also known as a borrow pit, is expected to be five acres and likely 20-25 feet deep.
But although Commission Chairman Jimmy Burnsed told meeting attendees borrow pits have been in South Bryan for around 75 years, some residents, like Peach Hubbard, still cited concerns about traffic, air quality and safety of children who will soon attend the new Richmond Hill Middle School.

Read more in the April 14 edition of the News.