The City of Atlantic’s Board of Adjustment, Monday morning, unanimously approved a conditional use permit application submitted by Schildberg Construction. The permit allows surface mining on the Tieg Family property at 2301 SW 7th Street just north of Schildberg’s current underground operation.

Mark Schildberg has said the changes will be minimal and gradual over the next 20-25 years. During that time span, the open pit will be moving west towards Highway 6 and then north parallel with the highway. As it becomes depleted, it will be filled in and another pit will be mined.

Gravel truck activity is expected to remain consistent with current levels. Officials say stockpiles and processing will remain in place and not change. As previously mentioned, Schildberg Construction has been working with Snyder and Associates on concept plans for a visual buffer of the area similar to what was seen in the 2003 conditional use permit.

Mark Schildberg has also stated his company is open to allowing the future, depleted site, to be transformed into another multi-use area that would service both private commercial businesses along the highway, in addition to the public recreation space to the west.