Township Shifts to ‘Legally Required’ Communication Policy
On September 14, 2026, Supervisor Ric Davis posted a “Levy Update” on the Springfield Township website regarding the pending Burroughs/Levy gravel mine application [View Levy Update Page]. The update reiterates that the application is still paused and the Township is waiting for Levy to provide further information requested, but it raised new questions & concerns about public access to information, the timing of outstanding materials, and who controls the release of consultant findings. Listed below are 10 points that stood out most to Oko Environmental after reviewing the September 14 update:
The Township appears to be lowering the communication standard to only what is “legally required.”
The update shows a drastic change in the Township’s approach to communication. Now, residents will only receive “legally required public notice” and says materials will be placed on the Township website “when appropriate.” This is a very different tune from the Township who originally committed to proactive communication and meaningful public access.
> Oko Question: Who decides when releasing information is “appropriate”?
No single person decides whether the mine is approved but the Supervisor has been placed at the center of the information flow.
The update emphasizes that “no single individual controls the process.” However, the Township’s own Scope of Work written by Davis specifically says consultant materials are directed through Township counsel, that draft and final work products require Supervisor approval before public release, that expert deficiencies and requests for additional testing are discussed with the Supervisor and counsel, and that consultants must keep information confidential unless authorized for release. Yes, the SLUP approval or denial is by a board vote and not a single person. However, the flow of information necessary for the review is controlled by a single person – the supervisor.
Levy/Burroughs still has outstanding information to submit.
The update repeatedly refers to “required documents and information,” “outstanding materials,” and revised submissions. In other words, the Township is still waiting for information it considers necessary to complete the review. Nothing new here.
There is still no deadline for Levy to provide those materials.
The update says “no definitive timetable has been provided“. That application continues to remain pending while the Township waits, with no publicly stated deadline for the applicant to complete the outstanding work.
The independent technical review is not complete.
Ramboll and the Township’s other expert Brian O’Mara of Agate Harbor cannot complete their evaluation until the revised materials are submitted and reviewed. Levy has not provided any information to the township or independent consultants.
Additional testing, studies, or analysis may still be required.
Even after Levy submits the outstanding information, Township professionals may determine that more information is necessary. The Scope of Work specifically anticipated that experts could identify deficiencies and recommend additional data, testing, analysis, or third-party review.
The public hearing is still not finished.
The application must return to the Planning Commission for continued review and completion of the public hearing. Residents therefore still have an important role in the process.
The Planning Commission is not yet ready to make a recommendation.
The Planning Commission will not make its recommendation until the necessary materials and professional reviews are complete. The Township Board’s final consideration comes after that.
The process is expected to take several more months.
The Supervisor is now publicly acknowledging that this is not close to an immediate decision stating “Based on the application’s current status, this process is expected to take several additional months.”. Timing depends on Levy’s submissions, whether additional work is requested, and how long professional review takes.
NOTE: The “several additional months” timeline should be treated as speculative. Levy has not provided a definitive timetable for submitting the outstanding information, making it impossible to verify how long the remaining review will actually take.
It is still unclear how the revised Mining Control Ordinance will apply to this application.
The update specifically leaves that question open, stating that applicability will depend on the final ordinance language, its effective date, applicable law, and any vested-rights issues. Residents should not assume either that the new ordinance will apply to Levy or that it will not.
I have sent the following email to the Township Board asking for clarification. Residents are always allowed to send their thoughts and comments to the Township Board. You are always welcome to steal any parts of my email for your own.
Need their emails? I have the list right HERE.
