BLOOMINGTON -- A gravel pit once proposed near Fox Creek Elementary School can't happen under new guidelines approved by a 9 to 8 vote of the McLean County Board on Tuesday.

The new rule requires a half-mile separation (2,640 feet) from property line to property line between a gravel pit operation and a residentially zoned area or school.

The McLean County Building and Zoning Department previously recommended a 1,000-foot separation from the pit and 2,000 feet from crushing, washing and other activity areas.

The Zoning Board of Appeals later recommended those distances could be reduced to 500 feet and 1,500 respectively if the gravel pit operator had a noise abatement plan.

Bloomington attorney Bob Lenz, who represented Stark Excavating in the hearings, called the County Board's decision a case of "lobbying based on fear and misinformation that trumped the findings of fact and scientific testimony at the zoning board."

Dan Daneen, a Twin Cities attorney who vehemently opposed closer setbacks, said the decision was a one that "went back to the provisions in the zoning code to protect the health and safety of the public."

Health and safety were emphasized by several board members who supported a greater setback as proposed by board member Eric Rankin.

"I cannot imagine having a gravel pit across the street from my classroom," said board member Sondra "Sonny" O'Connor, a former teacher. "If we go through (with the zoning board recommendation) and one child is harmed in anyway, that will be on the conscience of this board."

"I couldn't concur more," said Rankin, who lives in the Fox Creek subdivision. "This is a lightning rod in our community."

But board member Paul Segobiano suggested the board should credit information from the Zoning Board of Appeals.

"Take the fear out and put logic in," he said.

Board member William Caisley said Rankin's proposed amendment was "burdensome and overly restrictive" and could cost the county more money if it had to purchase gravel from other areas.

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