BLOOMINGTON -- Experts' testimony during three days of hearings on proposed changes to McLean County's gravel pit guidelines convinced the Zoning Board of Appeals to make further changes.

Zoning board members voted unanimously Tuesday night to allow gravel pit operations to be closer to residential areas and schools if operators use noise and dust control measures such as special mufflers and berms.

Gravel pits that don't implement such measures would have to meet distance requirements originally suggested by the McLean County building and zoning department.

The zoning board's recommendation now will go to the McLean County Board for consideration. That could happen as early as the board's Sept. 15 meeting but might be delayed until the Oct. 20 meeting.

The decision met with mixed reviews from opponents who wanted further setbacks and those who wanted less stringent setbacks.

"I don't think they heard from true dust experts or environmental health doctors so I don't think the issue has really been addressed thoroughly," said Susan Schafer, who formerly served as president of the Southwest Bloomington Residents Association and was an active voice of opposition to a proposed gravel pit near Fox Creek Elementary School.

Schafer said the new proposed setbacks would be fine in some situations but not others.

"I still don't think they should be across from elementary schools," she said. "It's not a good idea. They are an attractive nuisance."

Bob Lenz, an attorney representing Stark Excavating, said the recommendation of the zoning board is "something everybody can live with" but "no one here got everything they wanted."

Board members discussed the proposed ordinance for about 1½ hours before agreeing to allow the gravel pit excavation area within 500 feet of a residential area or school if operators had noise and dust control measures and at 1,000 feet without the measures.

County staff originally recommended 1,000 feet.

The board also recommended the crushing and cleaning areas be allowed within 1,500 feet of residences with noise and dust abatement measures and 2,000 feet without.