A proposed gravel pit in Ripley is not getting support on the county level.

The Chautauqua County Planning Board voted against backing a Special Use Permit for a sand and gravel mine proposed at 9087 Old Route 20.

The lack of support doesn’t officially stop the project but it makes it harder for it to move forward.

The project is being proposed by Jamestown Mcadam. The company first had its application go before the county Planning Board in March. The application was rejected because it did not have a completed State Environmental Quality Review.

The application was returned at the April planning board meeting with the necessary environmental review.

In March, the county Planning Board received a 15-page letter with 13 signatures, mostly from neighbors, opposing the project.

Planning Board Chairman Doug Bowman said the gravel pit borders the town of Westfield and the application doesn’t show the town as being officially notified.

The application also says they want to recycle construction waste.

“A solid waste recycling facility currently is not allowed in the town of Ripley zoning. The gravel mine itself is covered in the town zoning but the recycling component is not allowed,” Bowman said.

Other concerns that Bowman noted included is if the project would impact water wells, the noise of the project and the additional truck traffic.

Due to the number of concerns listed, Bowman made a motion for the county Planning Board to disapprove the project from the zoning referral log. The disapproval motion passed unanimously.

Bowman said because the county Planning Board does not support the project, the Ripley Planning Board will need a super-majority to approve the project, which would be four of the five members.

Bowman said the Ripley Planning Board will get the final vote. It does not need approval from the Ripley Town Board for the Special Use Permit.