Ordinance Amendment 

    OA16: 2002-2003

OA 16 was introduced for the purpose of clarifying the zoning ordinances provision related to mineral extraction operations.

For years, many quarries and other mineral extraction operations have also accepted recycled asphalt and concrete. Because these operations regularly are engaged in crushing rock materials, it has been logical for them to accept concrete and asphalt, crush tem, and employ them in road construction or other activities as either base for new roads or fill.

Recently, questions rose as to whether the existing ordinance language is broad enough to permit this activity to continue. Since recycling of asphalt and concrete involves trucking asphalt and concrete materials onto a quarry property, it really, technically, does not fit the description of "mineral extraction." Accordingly OA 16 has been drafted to allow the use of mineral extraction sites for asphalt and concrete pavement recycling.

Mineral extraction sites have already been established, and already present a known land use to their neighbors and surroundings. If asphalt and concrete are not recycled through mineral extraction operations, two alternatives would exist. One would be that the materials could be disposed of in the Dane County Demolition landfill, which would cause the landfill to become filled up much more rapidly. There is no reason why asphalt and concrete materials cannot be reused, thereby diverting a huge amount of material from the County Demolition site.

Additional, the other alternative for recycling of asphalt and concrete would be to establish a separate recycling center. This in turn, would require zoning of a site to the appropriate commercial or industrial zone, and occasion crating additional locations which would be, in all likelihood, offensive to the neighbors.

Therefore, this proposal appears to have the dual advantage of maximizing efficient use of cast-off concrete and asphalt and at the same time, avoiding the need for creating additional controversial land uses.

Explicitly authorizing recycling of asphalt and concrete at mineral extraction sites may lead some mineral extraction operations which have not previously undertaken these activities to begin doing so. Therefore, there will be an increase in truck traffic and the associated consequences of the recycling activities, noise, dust and vibration. People who live in the vicinity of mineral extraction operations will be upset and concerned that they do not wish any additional negative impact from these operations.

The Association recommends supporting OA 16. The concerns of the people who live near mineral extraction sites are significant and merit consideration. However, on balance, the opportunity to use asphalt and concrete again for construction has undeniable advantages. It will lengthen the life of the Dane County Demolition Landfill and avoid the need for opening separate recycling centers. Therefore, we believe that the ordinance amendment is in the public interest, and recommend its adoption.