Planning Commission Packet - February 24, 2026

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From:Melanie Curtis To:Chris Leeseberg Cc:Todd Curtis; Miranda Flatten Subject:Public Comment on Knife River CUP; Case CU 26-01 Date:Monday, February 23, 2026 11:24:06 AM You don't often get email from melanie.c.curtis@gmail.com. Learn why this is important Re: Public Hearing – Case No. CU 26-01 Proposed Expansion of Knife River Mining Operation (Ernie Toth Pit), 225th Avenue, Elk River I am writing in response to the public hearing notice for Case No. CU 26-01 regarding the proposed expansion of Knife River’s mining operation at the Ernie Toth pit off 225th Avenue in Elk River. My comments primarily concern traffic safety, regulatory compliance, and ongoing operational impacts at the pit entrance and the intersection of 225th Avenue and Highway 169. 1. Traffic Safety, Access, and Increased Truck Volume My neighbors and I have consistently raised concerns regarding gravel truck traffic and roadway safety. In 2024, following a tragic fatality at the 225th Avenue/Highway 169 intersection, residents contacted the City of Elk River, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and other relevant agencies regarding safety improvements. Since the removal of controlled intersections and traffic signals along Highway 169, access onto 169 from 225th Avenue has become increasingly difficult and unpredictable. While regional traffic flow may have improved, local access has become more challenging and hazardous. Importantly, the improvements that were made at this intersection to support the landfill and gravel operations — including the widened crossover, acceleration lanes, and turn lanes — make this the safest access point for our neighborhood and for many of the neighborhoods north of us. We do not want this intersection removed. We want it to remain open and to be made safer through appropriate operational controls and enforcement. At the same time, we have experienced a substantial increase in gravel truck traffic along 225th Avenue during the construction season. Truck traffic has extended north along 112th Street NW into Livonia Township. Under the original Conditional Use Permit (CUP) issued to Bauerly Brothers in 1997 (CU 97-02), and subsequent CUP approvals, a condition of operation required trucks to access Highway 169 via 225th Avenue and prohibited routing north via 112th Street NW. Despite this condition, trucks are routinely observed traveling north on 225th/112th. In addition, the sheer number of daily vehicle trips to and from the site is excessive. Residents attempting to access Highway 169 frequently must wait behind five to eight side-dump trucks at the intersection. During that time, additional trucks enter or exit the site, often traveling north. It can take 10–15 minutes to access Highway 169. Combined with the continuous stream of traffic on Highway 169, travel times have become unpredictable and increasingly hazardous. The 2009 CUP (CU 09-14) imposed a condition limiting the number of “trucks per day.” City staff have explained that this limits the number of individual trucks accessing the site, not the number of vehicle trips per day. This distinction is significant. A limitation on individual trucks does not meaningfully restrict total traffic volume if those trucks make multiple trips per day. I respectfully request clarification on the following: Is compliance with the truck limitation currently being tracked? If so, what methodology is being used? Page 39 of 71