A Buffalo County zoning committee says mining activities should be prohibited in residential zoned districts.  A county board zoning panel also recommended creating minimum setback distances for mining related operations located in the vicinity of residential districts.
    
Proposed changes were among study recommendations sent to the Buffalo County Board in addressing sand mining issues.
    
The panel also advised tightening its permit process to require more detailed, complete and standard application forms seeking conditional-use permits in front of the Buffalo County Board of Zoning Adjustment.

In addition, the committee said Buffalo County should consider entering agreements with other counties and municipalities when acting on truck hauling routes for mined sand and other nonmetallic materials.  
    
A zoning committee study report also suggested extending timetables for actions to be taken by the board of adjustment due to complexity and volume of mining applications sought by landowners and mining developers.
    
A mining moratorium on accepting new permit applications might need to be extended beyond Oct. 31 to give county departments more time to implement proposed changes, the panel agreed.  Studies and findings from several courthouse departments were scheduled to be discussed Tuesday night at a Buffalo County Board meeting.