Council for the Rural Municipality of Hanover has denied an application for a gravel pit.

Chris Friesen of Friesen Hauling appeared before council on Wednesday, seeking permission to extract gravel from a site along road 34N, east of Road 32E, which is east of Mitchell.

Friesen told council the life span of the gravel pit could be ten years, with 30 trucks entering and 30 trucks exiting the site daily during peak season.

The application was met by much opposition. In a letter to council, Al and Josie Unrau expressed their objection due to the safety of numerous families in the area, the additional wear and tear on busy and rough roads, the impact on property value, the impact on the wells and noise.

"This is a residential area." wrote the Unraus. "We built our home here because of the beautiful scenery and the peaceful neighbourhood. Let's keep it that way."

Samuel and Mia Fast wrote a letter of objection, noting they moved into that rural residential area so their children could grow up in the outdoors, in a healthy and safe environment.

"The purposed 32E also has a school located on it and there is no barrier between the school grounds and the road," they wrote. "Having an estimated, (but not limited to), increase in traffic of 30 gravel trucks using this road is a safety concern."

"It will lessen the value of our homes," wrote Denise Scott. "I think there are more appropriate places for this gravel pit to be located."

(Many neighbours spoke against the gravel pit at Wednesday's public hearing.)Ron and Elisabeth Schalla wrote a letter of objection, noting that road is already dusty, with very bad washboard.

"We have a large amount of dust inside and outside of our properties," they wrote. "We cannot even sit outside as we are constantly being bombarded with dust clouds."

Hanover Councillor John Giesbrecht made a motion to deny the application. It was seconded by Councillor Jim Funk.

"Safety is a huge concern," says Funk.

He adds there are too many residents living in that area and with all the children, he fears for their safety with the extra traffic.

"(Trucks) don't stop on a dime, and kids are kids," says Funk.

"Safety takes precedence over this," says Councillor Travis Doerksen. "I don't think it's that large enough that it takes precedence over safety."

Reeve Stan Toews says it would have made much more sense to open a gravel pit when there were fewer people living there.

"Should have done this twenty to twenty-five years ago," adds Councillor Bernie Stahn.

Councillor Bob Brandt suggested they table the motion. Councillors opted to rather make a decision and Brandt was the only councillor to vote in favour of the application.