Tulsa county residents are fighting proposed expanded mining operations in Owasso where two mining firms are wanting to expand.
The firms include Anchor Stone, a company seeking a permit for a location near a church. The other is Greenhill Materials, which has been denied a permit by the Tulsa County Board of Adjustment.
Anchor Stone told KTUL News, “This permit application requests the addition of 41 acres to the existing 553 acres already under permit – a 7% increase…Land use and zoning were ruled upon in District Court in 2019 and the court found Anchor Stone’s use was compatible with the neighborhood.”
Residents argue the projects could bring increased blasting, truck traffic, structural vibrations, limestone dust and declining property values to surrounding neighborhoods.
KRMG Radio news reported last month residents claim the proposed mining projects conflict with long-standing land use plans adopted by Tulsa County and the City of Owasso that designated the area for residential growth.
Greenhill Materials was originally denied its request last fall as Fox 23 News reported.
The denial by the Tulsa County Board of Adjustment came after more than two hours of public comment from concerned residents. The proposed expansion would have increased the size of the quarry in Owasso from 169 acres to 316.
The complaints of Owasso residents have also been heard by the Oklahoma Department of Mines as 2 News Oklahoma reported last month.
Residents living near 66th Street North and 129th East Avenue gathered at an Oklahoma Department of Mines meeting to voice concerns about Anchor Stone Company’s mining permit application for a quarry expansion.
