A application for a soil mining operation in Lancaster County received the go-ahead from county leaders Tuesday.

Following a nearly-three hour hearing, the Lancaster County Board of Commissioners unanimously signed off on a plan to allow for the extraction of soil for sale on 159 acres east of U.S. 77 between Branched Oak and Davey roads.

The land is owned by motor sports promoter Greg Sanford, who in July pulled his plans for a drag strip at the site, saying he faced too many roadblocks — including new motor sports regulations.

The approval, which will be formalized through a vote on a resolution next week, carries several conditions, including limitations on the site’s operational hours.

The operation will be limited to work during weekday daylight hours only, with access to Highway 77 prohibited between 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. That, however, doesn’t preclude site operations during those times altogether.

Tuesday’s decision follows a recommendation of approval from the city-county Planning Commission, which considered the issue last month.

The application marks Sanford's third attempt to win approval to extract dirt for sale at the site. The commission rejected his first attempt in May 2006, which included land sculpting that resembled a drag strip. Neighbors alleged the soil mining was a ruse to prepare the land for a drag strip.

Sanford, who is continuing to evaluate the prospects of operating a drag strip elsewhere, has denied any connection between the soil-mining operation and his drag strip plans.