Washtenaw County Circuit Court rules in favor of Sharon Township in case against Stoneco

Screenshot from Stoneco’s website showing a Stoneco gravel mining operation.

by Sara Swanson

Starting in 2021, residents began expressing concern over a proposed Stoneco of Michigan 398-acre sand and gravel mining operation in Sharon Township. On July 17, 2023, after meetings and public hearings, Sharon Township Board of Trustees voted unanimously to deny Stoneco a special use permit. A month later, Stoneco filed an appeal in Washtenaw County Circuit Court seeking to reverse Sharon Township’s decision. The next day Stoneco filed a lawsuit claiming the township violated Stoneco’s civil rights.

Sharon Township recently reported that after hearing oral arguments in April, on August 9 Judge Connors ruled in the township’s favor, dening Stoneco’s appeal of the township’s decision. The township has posted on their website that Connors states, “Sharon Township’s denial of the application was a ‘decision, finding, ruling, and order that was authorized by law. Additionally, Sharon Township held numerous hearings, conducted investigations, and allowed for continued input from [Stoneco]. Finally, this Court holds that the decision, finding, ruling, and order denying the application is supported by competent, material, and substantial evidence on the whole record.’” Read the judge’s ruling at https://sharontownship.org/newslist.php (click on Aug 9 news listing, and then on “click here”).

Barbara Schmid, board member of the (now-dissolved) Sharon Preservation Society, shared the news, stating, “Let’s recognize that our Township Supervisor at the time, Peter Psaroutakis; the Board of Trustees; Pat Kelly, Planning Commission Chair, and the Planning Commission; Gerald Fisher, the township’s legal counsel during the process; and all that supported them, did a superb job of safeguarding the interests of the vast majority of us residents.”

The township states on their website that their attorney will file a motion to dismiss the lawsuit that Stoneco also filed, as it is not supported by any wrongdoing on the township’s part and that they expect Stoneco to appeal.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.