G’Shoals Council discusses gravel trucks

November 29, 2012, 10:55 pm by Alexandria Randolph

City Manager Judy Miller displays to councilmembers the locations of mining and quarry activity within Granite Shoals city limits during the meeting Thursday evening.

Granite Shoals Council discussed regulating heavy material trucks in a meeting Thursday night.

City Manager Judy Miller said that she added the issue of gravel trucks to the agenda after residents and city employees had noticed a recent increase in mining activity and industrial truck travel through the city.

"I’ve had residents tell me that trucks have gotten lost winding through the residential area,” Miller said in a presentation to council.

The council discussed adding an ordinance that would define mining as a land use.

"This has been talked about for many, many years,” said Councilmember Shirley King. "I think it’s about time we do have a mining ordinance.”

City Attorney Brad Young said that a previous ordinance considered by council was stringent.

"What this does is classify mining as a nuisance- that’s the bolder approach,” he said. "The conservative approach would be to define mining as a land use and identify zones for mining... The other regulatory approach is to regulate the trucks themselves.”

Councilmember Peggy Metzger had done research on the damage done to city streets by heavy weight trucks.

"An 18-wheeler typically weighs 80,000 pounds,” Metzger said. "I don’t think there’s any question that they are contributing to the damage to our roads.”

For more on this story, see Tuesday's Highlander.