14-24-030 I-5 GRAVEL PIT ZONE: Conditions

A. Size. 1. The operable portion of an open pit shall be authorized in ten (10) acre increments by use of an open pit excavation permit. Permits are valid for seven years, subject to the review required by this chapter. 2. Two (2) permits per company may be outstanding at once. Reclamation of one permit, plus pre-existing pits, as set forth herein, shall be completed according to the reclamation standards of this chapter, prior to the issuance of a third permit. B. Nuisance Abatement. 1. Dust generated in the extraction and processing of the earth products shall be contained on site by paving main roads in the pit, wetting extraction areas and loaded trucks, chemical treatment, placing landscaped berms, and other similar measures. The applicant shall submit a dust control plan with its application to show how all dust will be contained on site. The conditional use permit may adapt the applicant’s plan, or set more stringent standards. 2. Back up warning devices on motor equipment shall be by flashing lights. No beepers or similar audio warning devices are allowed. 3. Water shall not be allowed to settle or pond in the bottoms of the pits. All water shall be required to drain promptly in accordance with Salem City requirements. The depth of the pit may not exceed the grade to drain slope, such that natural drainage occurs without ponding or settling. C. Performance Standards. 1. The operation must be in compliance with all state and federal regulations. 2. All cuts and fills must be a minimum of 75 feet from any dwellings and a minimum of 25 feet from property line. No cuts or fills are permitted outside areas for which an open pit excavation permit has been issued in accordance with Section 14-24-020(A). 3. An accurate site plan must be submitted which shows the topography, utilities, roads, and structures on the site in their current state and as proposed after completing the excavation and reclamation. All buildings are to meet a 30 foot set back from all property lines. Proof of ownership or leasehold interest is required with the site plan. All owners of property must sign a certificate acknowledging receipt of this ordinance and agreeing to abide by its terms. 4. A traffic plan must be submitted which shows the routes which loaded trucks will follow to gain access to state highways and/or arterial streets. Salem City may dictate routes for loaded trucks in order to preserve its streets. 5. All loaded trucks are to have tightly closed tailgates and tarps to prevent spillage. 6. The hours of operation are limited to no earlier than 6:00 a.m. nor later than 9:00 p.m. on weekdays and 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Operations shall not be open on Sundays. In the event that a permitee procures a contract for work on a federal or state highway which required night time operations, or in the event of an emergency, the Mayor may authorize a temporary permit to operate on nights and Sundays. Such an emergency permit is only valid until the next Development Review Committee meeting. The Development Review Committee will review the situation and determine if the permit should be extended and if so, for how long. The permitee or an affected landowner may appeal the decision of the Development Review Committee to the City Council. 7. Public utilities are not to be left on islands making them difficult to access. Operators shall be required to relocate such utilities at their expense. Construction standards set by the utility company involved shall be met when relocating utilities. Operators may be required to grant new easements to facilitate any relocation. Utility service is not to be interrupted. 8. Precautions to protect ground water (well sources) from pollution shall be required. 9. For all new permits, the topsoil shall be stored on site for eventual reclamation.