The Babbitt City council ruled to accept a Conditional Use Permit pending legal review on Thursday in a special council session.
The CUP is for digging a ditch on an “un-developable” lot of land located close to the West Babbitt Development, with the city intending to sell the material obtained from the dig to Rachel Contracting.
The land is not able to be developed due to its proximity to a wastewater treatment plant. Rachel Contracting would use the material to continue developing the West Babbitt site. The city has previously ruled to sell the material for $3 per yard.
The decision was made after the Planning Commission failed to hand down a recommendation to council. Council member John Fitzpatrick called for a motion three times in a Planning Commission meeting that took place prior to the special council, but no motion was made.
Mayor Andrea Zupancich said to the council, “One thing to always keep in mind is the highest and best use for any property…and other than using that property for a possible disc golf course…that strip (of land) is literally just that, a strip.”
