WAITE PARK -- The Waite Park City Council unanimously approved two Conditional Use Permits for a local granite company tonight.

Martin Marietta Aggregates requested to start producing double its granite at Rainbow Quarry and North Quarry in Waite Park.

The Waite Park Planning Commission held a public hearing two weeks ago to discuss the request that would increase production from 1.8 million tons per year to 3.6 tons per year.

City administrator Shaunna Johnson says the council felt confident in their decision to to move forward with the request.

Johnson says Martin Marietta's Conditional Use Permit lasts as long as the life of the property.

The company uses signature hole shots to conduct research into the vibration levels. They requested that the Conditional Use Permits distinguish between a signature shot and a production shot.

The company also asked that council limit the number of signature hole shots they can conduct to five per year.

The newly approved Conditional Use Permit will not increase the blasting frequency, vibration levels, sound levels, air quality standards, process water discharge, mining footprint or storm water runoff. There will be a slight increase in the number of truck and train traffic in that area.

The company plans to invest about $18-million in improvements to both quarry sites.

See a map of the two quarry locations below.

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