The Gloucester Planning Commission voted unanimously last Thursday to recommend approval of a proposed surface mineral mine on the south side of Pampa Road.
The land is currently vacant and partially farmed and the applicant, James A. Wilson, vice president of Waste Management Services of VA, Inc., is proposing to use it as a borrow pit for Waste Management.
The roughly 60-acre property is surrounded by a farm to the north and by residential properties to the northwest and the northeast. The properties to the south and west are both owned by the applicant. 
During public comment, which was held in the colonial courthouse, residential property owners and neighbors expressed concerns about stormwater being properly drained, the water table and their wells, air quality and  noise pertaining to vibration, and overnight operations.
Ray McGowan from Waste Management said that the company wants to stay above the groundwater table so there will be no adverse effects on nearby wells. ...