Call to Action
South 32 owns a 26-acre parcel on the Harshaw Road for which they are applying to the town for a use permit. The lot is the one where the cattle graze on the north side of Harshaw. It is NOT Charlie Montoy’s lot that is currently being used for parking.
A joint meeting of the Town Council and the Planning Committee is planned to discuss the application on March 13.
The permit application is to use half the property for employee parking and the other half for “storage and holding.” They are planning for parking for 550 employees.
The property owners abutting South 32’s property have been informed of the permit application, as is required by law. PARA is organizing a meeting with those stakeholders to bring them up to date on the mine activities and why they should vigorously oppose this permit application. Since these properties are within the town limits, their voices are going to be key to the opposition.
PARA is also planning a public meeting on Saturday March 9 at 2p.m. at Cady Hall to present the issue prior to the meeting of the Town Council. Please mark your calendars for both the public meeting and the Town Council meeting.
We do not want Harshaw Road to become the transit and storage center for the mine. To allow this permit would hugely impact the traffic along the Harshaw Road and in town, and the quality of life for those living around the property. The town has already expressed its displeasure by passing the ordinance to limit the number of large trucks along the road. Let’s continue to voice our opposition to the encroachment of the mine into our community.
Valerie Neale
Patagonia