Mail Tribune News -Jacksonville will appeal ruling on mine expansion

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Jacksonville will appeal ruling on mine expansion JACKSONVILLE -- The city of Jacksonville voted Tuesday to appeal a recent state decision to allow an expansion of 300 acres at the gravel pits near Jacksonville. City Council members voted 7-0 Tuesday to file an appeal with the Land Use Board of Appeals, said Paul Wyntergreen, city administrator. "There was a strong consensus that this is a major impact on the city and we need to stop the action until the bypass is provided for this traffic," Wyntergreen said. "The City Council was also concerned about noise and dust along Pair-A-Dice Ranch Road," Wyntergreen said. The city will appeal a Dec. 29 decision by the Department of Land Conservation and Development to uphold Jackson County's remapping of aggregate lands. The rezone would result in 300 expanded mining acres in the Walker Creek area, just outside of the city limits. The city of Jacksonville objected to the original zone changes that were approved by Jackson County about five years ago. The case had been pending in the DLCD's Salem office until last month. Granite pit operators say the expanded acreage would extend the life of the mines, guaranteeing decomposed granite for future generations. Neighbors say the expansion would result in more truck traffic along Pair-A-Dice Ranch Road, the only access in and out of the mines. Mail Tribune Copyright �  The Mail Tribune 2000, Medford, Oregon USA