Residents irked by I-43 work site plan

Consideration of a concrete mixing and pavement crushing site in the Town of Grafton was tabled by the Plan Commission Sept. 1 during a meeting where dozens of residents turned out to oppose the operation. 

The residents expressed concerns about noise pollution, dust from gravel crushing, road debris, water runoff polluting Ulao Creek and the watershed, traffic congestion from trucks driving in and out of the site, the proximity of the site to Grafton Day Care and decreasing property values. 

Michael Mcnabb, 867 Ulao Rd., lives directly across from the proposed site and asked commission members to base their decisions on one factor. 

“Would you want this right outside your driveway? Make the decision based off that,” he said.

Commission members said they tabled a vote on a conditional-use permit request to allow time for additional engineering review and for Hoffman Construction Co. to consider other locations for the site. 

The unanimous vote concurred with a recommendation from town staff. 

Many residents oppose the prospect of Hoffman converting about 10 acres of farmland off Ulao Road west of Highway C into a site that would supply and store materials for the four-year I-43 reconstruction project. 

The site would be used for staging equipment, stockpiling materials, crushing and screening gravel, and mixing concrete. 

From 2022 through 2025, work at the site would be done from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and occasionally at night and on Sundays. The site would be used heavily for two or three months per year during paving operations and occasionally six or seven months a year. Winter work would be limited.

Hoffman had hoped to begin working at the site this month but will be delayed due to the commission’s decision. The company had estimated it would work about 50 nights at the site this year, but that number may be reduced with delays. 

Berms would be constructed to reduce noise in the area, but some neighbors of the property believe it may not be enough. 

About 40 people turned out for the Sept. 1 meeting, most speaking out against the project but some supporting use of the site. 

Michael Sevener, 1576 Hwy. C, said that while he supports the interstate expansion project, he does not support the proposed site. 

“I am not against progress or highway expansion where it is needed … what I am opposed to is a possible lack of consideration for neighbors in the area,” he said. 

Leo LaCroix, 1110 Waterstone Dr., went so far to say that if the site is approved, he will sell his home and move out of the area. 

While many expressed concerns about the work site, some residents supported the proposal. 

Melissa Meyer, 1545 Fifth Avenue, said she believes the proposed location is a good choice because it is not in a highly populated area and is located just a half mile from the Schmitz Ready Mix Inc. concrete manufacturer. 

She said she understands why neighbors would be concerned but that change is a fact of life. 

“Circumstances about the location you live in change,” she said. 

Shawn Hoffman of Hoffman Construction attended the meeting and explained aspects of the operation to the commission. 

He said that while the conditional use permit for the site covers four years, it is unlikely the site would be used for the duration of the interstate project. As construction on the interstate moves south, the contractor would attempt to find a location closer to the work area to save on transportation costs. 

Hoffman also addressed resident’s concerns regarding dust pollution by explaining that each gravel crusher and project site requires air-quality permits from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources that restrict the amount of dust that would be kicked into the air. 

To contain dust, workers would wet the gravel and mix cement in contained trucks, he said. 

“All the dust and everything is contained in the plant itself,” he said.

Hoffman added that any crushing that can occur on the interstate is done there, greatly reducing the amount that would be crushed at the site. 

The DNR requires the site to abide by safe wetland delineation practices and that the company would need to hire a specialist to ensure the site is in good standing. 

“Our intent on the site is to never impact the wetlands,” Hoffman said. 

After discussing the project plans and encouraging Hoffman to explore the prospect of other sites, commission members unanimously voted to table the issue until their October meeting, concurring with a town staff recommendation.

Bailey Brunner, the assistant town engineer, told commissioners that Hoffman Construction needs to provide additional information on what structures would be built at the site, what noise levels of operations are expected and where access roads, parking lots and loading areas will be located. 

He said a wetland delineation plan should also be submitted to the town, as well as additional information on how the site may impact traffic in the area. 

“Due to the amount and substantive concerns from staff, planning, engineering and the county, staff is recommending this action be tabled,” Brunner said.