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The Wrangell Planning and Zoning Commission approved all items on the agenda at its meeting Thursday night.
The Commission approved a controversial temporary use permit for a rock crusher and asphalt plant.
Community members spoke out both in favor of and against the permit.
The crusher and plant will be located in the vicinity of 9 mile Zimovia Highway, on the property owned by Brett Woodbury.
Tom Fisher, from 9.5 mile, was one of the people who voiced concern about the project.
He says there is an inversion layer that drops everything in the air on the lower homes in that area every morning and every evening.
“He has been a great neighbor. There’s nothing wrong with Brett being up there. But in this instance, I don’t think he’ll be able—or can prove—that he can control these fumes, mixed with the dust. The dust alone is going to be a killer. But mixing it up with these fumes is going to be an adverse living condition for people living directly below the rock pit,” said Fisher.
Michael Short, of SECON, requested the permit. He also attended the meeting and said that moving the crusher and plant would up the cost of the project.
He said the project should be completed in 60 days, by September 15th.
The Commission also approved an access road and area for sorting and processing wood from the Institute property and Trust land timber sale.
Cindy Whitefeather was the only community member to speak out against that permit.
“Maybe there’s other people, but I want it noted that I will slap injunctions to keep them off this land. They’ve already wasted part of this island and they’re not going to do it to the Institute,” said Whitefeather.
Other community members were in favor of this permit. This permit places the access road further away from residential property.
Finally, the Commission approved a conditional use permit application for the Prysunka family to have a 2-room bed and breakfast.
