Lake County, Florida, commissioners approved a Cemex sand mine near Lake Louisa, south of Clermont, Florida, reports the Orlando Sentinel. The commissioners accepted on a 4-1 vote a settlement to end litigation with the company.
According to the Orlando Sentinel, Cemex plans to mine about 526 acres of the 1,200-acre site. Lake County commissioners said Cemex made compromises that improved its original sand mine proposal, which was originally rejected in a 3-2 vote in March 2015.
The company agreed to changes that will shield adjacent properties, protect a nearby U-pick blueberry farm and save clay trails, says Commissioner Leslie Campione. Cemex also agreed to pay for an east-west road to ease traffic fears, as well as donate 100 acres for a county park.
“Today’s action by the County Commission will allow Cemex to move forward and provide a much-needed sand resource to support infrastructure and other construction projects in Florida,” says Walker Robinson, spokesman for Cemex. “The mine will provide additional jobs and tax benefits to Lake County.”
