SEBRELL—The Southampton County Planning Commission on Thursday night unanimously recommended giving Sebrell Farm permission to expand its sand mining operation on White Road.

The Board of Supervisors will vote on the recommendation during its 8:30 a.m. Monday, Dec. 19, meeting at the county government office center in Courtland.

Sebrell Farm recently filed for a conditional use permit so it could add 70 acres to its existing 500-plus acre operation. Approval by the supervisors will give the operation a total of 652 acres. The area has been mined since 2002.

The pit is located in an area zoned for farming. However, with permission through a special-use permit, mining is allowed.

Sebrell Farm, which currently operates with a 100-foot buffer, requested going with a 50-foot buffer, said Beth Lewis, county director of Community Development.

The Planning Commission stipulated the company must maintain a 100-foot buffer on the eastern side of the property where there are homes.

According to the permit, mining involves removing the topsoil and digging up the sand. The sand is passed through a portable washing-screening plant. The end product is used for concrete sand and masonry.