By Rupert Howell
Land Commissioners gave their approval for sand and gravel mining on Central Academy Road Monday night when Preston Lawrence petitioned for a special exception for the property zoned agricultural to be used for a gravel pit.

The decision may now go to Panola County Supervisors if opposition decides to appeal Monday’s ruling.

Speaking in opposition was Jessica Davis, a neighbor to the property whose home was closest to the proposed site, whose concern centered on truck traffic and the narrow road. She can petition Monday’s decision within 10 days and force supervisors to make a decision on the matter.

Davis stated that she had been raised near a gravel pit and that her school bus was run off the road three different times while she was going to school.

Petitioner Lawrence said he would do what needed to be done to make the road safe.
He said also he foresaw a small amount of usage but had yet to be cleared by the Department of Environmental Quality to proceed with mining.

The commission’s enforcement officer, Chad Meek, explained the DEQ would not talk to property owners about mining until approval was obtained from the county.

Lawrence also said the property had previously been approved for a gravel pit but those seeking the mining options had decided not to dig.

Commissioners asked District Four supervisor Kelly Morris to speak to the matter since his district encompassed the area. Morris expressed concern for the road’s condition that would be used but said, “It’s nothing that can’t be worked out.”

Lawrence agreed to not have trucks leave or enter the property during school bus hours in response to Davis’s concerns.

Lawrence’s sister, Wanda L. Carmichael, serves on the commission board but recused herself, leaving the meeting room prior to the request being discussed.

Commissioners also approved a special exception allowing Dan Daughtery to operate an auto repair shop in a 1,200 sq. ft. building behind his home in Mossy Oak Subdivision.

His request was accompanied by a petition that included Mossy Oak’s residents as well as subdivision owner Tommy Florence who has most of the subdivision lots, according to commission vice-chairman Danny Jones.

Daughtery said he would operate much like a hobby business and would not have numerous vehicles parked in the neighborhood awaiting repair. The neighborhood is adjacent to a gravel mining operation on Eureka Road.

When the question arose concerning whether the auto garage would break the subdivision covenants, attorney for the commission Ryan Revere responded, “Y’all don’t enforce the covenants,” and explained the subdivision’s residents would be responsible and the approving petition included names of the subdivision residents.

New Rock Hill Church of Sardis received approval to establish a cemetery on 1.1 acres on LeMaster Road.

Church member Ethel McKinney spoke for the church stating that although the church is located in Sardis, many of the members live near the LeMaster Road location.

“We’ve been searching for years for acreage suitable for a cemetery,” McKinney told commissioners. The request was approved unanimously and now goes to supervisors.

Imet Hussein received a special exception for his convenience store on Eureka Road, formerly Boss’s. The original 10-year exception had previously expired. Meeks assured commissioners that Hussein’s treatment plant at the facility was being brought up to specification, also.