Blair County Planning Commission members aren’t in favor of a surface mining project in Frankstown Township and don’t believe it is consistent with the region’s comprehensive plan.

Commission members last week reviewed a large noncoal surface mine permit application to the state Department of Environmental Protection from Minetech Engineers on behalf of Glass Bagging Enterprises Inc. The permit application proposes combining three small noncoal surface mining permits for a four-phase, 123-acre mining site located along Locke Mountain Road near the Rolling Hills housing development.

“Due to its proximity to a large residential area and the potential for catastrophic damage to the water supply of this neighborhood, the Blair County Planning Commission does not feel that the above mentioned proposal is consistent with the comprehensive plan in the concepts presented at this time,” wrote Regional Planner MacKenzie Caron in a letter to Minetech and DEP.

The new permit would incorporate 15 acres covered by the operators three existing small noncoal permits, according to a legal notice regarding the project. Glass Bagging proposes to continue to surface mine and stockpile sand and sandstone and discharge treated water to the Frankstown Branch of the Juniata River, the notice reads.

Glass Bagging wants to mine 26 acres — 24 acres of sandstone and two acres of limestone.

The site sits only 300 feet below the Rolling Hills neighborhood, according to Caron.

The houses in the neighborhood are not served by public water and Frankstown Township has expressed no interest in extending service lines to this neighborhood. Proposed limestone blasting at this site could potentially impact the groundwater that serves the on-lot water wells for this housing development, Caron said in her letter.

“If blasting is planned, it is imperative that DEP ensures proper groundwater and seismic monitoring in order to protect the existing property owners and their water supply. We also recommend that DEP requires Glass Bagging Enterprises Inc. to notify all homeowners of the Rolling Hills neighborhood of the proposed mining project to ensure residents have a chance to voice concerns and have a point of contact if they experience issues as a result of this project,” Caron said.

Commission President Nick Ardizzone is also concerned about blasting.

“My concern is with vibrations and the foundations of those homes. Blasting that close, people will feel something. There is no doubt about that. I recommend they maintain a natural buffer and that buffer area is monitored so vibration is not severe enough,” Ardizzone said. “We need to make sure a monitoring system is put in place before it turns into a disaster.”

Frankstown Township Manager Henry Fownes said he hasn’t received any complaints.

“It is a permitted land use. Glass Bagging is a business owner in the township. He has to follow the codes and permitting process. We have received no complaints from the general public, we can’t do anything about it,” Fownes said.