Midwest Asphalt Corp. has withdrawn its request to extend hours at its Lakeville gravel mining site in the face of protests by neighbors who said the change would worsen their living conditions.

The City Council had held off on the request until the company could resolve differences with residents whose homes are north of the gravel pit, across Lake Marion. Objections focused on noise, dust and harsh lighting from the 60-acre gravel pit.

Since 2011, Midwest has had permission to excavate gravel and conduct other operations from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday. The only limitation is on rock crushing, which can't be done on Saturday.

The company was seeking a change so it could operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The extra hours were to be limited to hauling gravel and sand out of the property and bringing in other material from demolition sites.

In a Dec. 10 e-mail, Midwest President Blair Bury notified the city that the company was withdrawing its application "to do further study of the issues in order to determine appropriate solutions."

"I look forward to being able to resolve the concerns and returning to 'the process' at a later date," Bury added.

Planning Director Daryl Morey said that the company could reapply because it withdrew its application before the council acted on it.

Building permits' value on the rise in Lakeville

Lakeville issued building permits with a total valuation of $136.8 million through the end of November. This compares with $112.8 million for the same period in 2012.

The city issued commercial and industrial permits with a total valuation of $10.2 million through the end of November this year, a slight increase from $9.8 million for the same period last year.

Lakeville also issued permits for 340 single-family homes valued at $109 million through the end of November this year, up from 237 permits valued at $70.2 million for the same period in 2012.

Hastings Marketplace sold

A Cincinnati-based real estate investment firm recently acquired a Hastings retail complex that includes a Cub-anchored mall and a building formerly occupied by Panera Bread.

A business entity of Phillips Edison paid $15.9 million for Hastings Marketplace on Hwy. 55, according to a certificate of real estate value filed with the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The seller was an entity connected with St. Paul-based Madison Equities.

The Panera cafe had operated for 10 years but before closing in August. A representative of the St. Louis-based chain said the lease had expired and that the company chose not to renew it.

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Susan Feyder • 952-746-3282