Proposed Landfill

Proposed landfill buffer zones draw opposition

from Santa Rosa Chronicle staff reports
June 2, 2007

Proposed new ordinances to regulate dirt borrow pits, solid waste collection and construction and demolition (C&D) landfills drew criticism at a recent hearing, for allowing future facilities too close to housing areas.

The new rules would require landfills to be sited at least 500 feet from neighboring properties (if built on Agricultural and Light Industrial-zoned land); or 100 feet from adjacent properties (if located on heavier industrial-zoned land).

“Five hundred feet is not far enough from residential areas with landfills,” Navarre resident and retired engineer Bill Kolb told the Board.

Kolb lives near Coyote landfill, whose fume-emitting fires recently prompted neighbors to petition the state to close the dump down.

Residents a mile away were affected by the fires, Kolb recounts. At Coyote’s 500-foot range, hydrogen sulfide levels have measured at 10 times the minimum risk level, he told the Board.

Hydrogen sulfide is produced when drywall products decompose.

“If [a landfill] accepts drywall, it should be remotely located,” says Kolb.

Under the new rules, C&D and borrow pits could receive conditional-use permits on AG 1 and 2 (agricultural) and M1 (light industrial) zoned land.

The facilities would receive regular permits in M2 (intensive industrial) zones.

*In Agricultural and light industrial areas, new sites could be located no closer than 500 feet to subdivisions and residences; must be built on a minimum of five acres; and would have to be screened from neighbors’ view.
Borrow pits would have to be set at least 50 feet back from property lines, and 200 feet from permitted potable water wells.
Land Clearing Debris fills would require a 100 foot setback.

*In intensive industrial zones, borrow pits would have to be set back 50 feet from property lines. Land clearing debris fills would require a 100 foot setback, and C&D facilities, a 100 foot buffer from property lines. Facilities located on heavy industrial property would also be required to have a five foot fence.

In addition to buffer zones, the proposed ordinances require a clay liner and leachate fluid collection system for C&D facilities.

The new rules also establish owner responsibilities for fire control, safety and environmental standards. New C&D landfills would require an annual county inspection, and owners could be penalized if problems are not corrected.

Private homeowners and farmers would be exempt from permitting requirements for disposal of normally occurring land development debris.

Existing landfills would get six months to bring the facility up to code, but would not be subject to new setback requirements.

The ordinances would:
*Require a permit to engage in residential solid waste collection
*Require a permit to run a C&D or land clearing debris landfill

C&D landfill facilities would be required to:
*Maintain dirt or foam fire suppression systems.
*Install a clay liner and leachate removal pump system
*Meet siting distance requirements, based on zoning
*Be covered weekly with six inches of soil
*Maintain a 3:1 slope along the sides
*Maintain a 20 foot height limit
*Remove and dispose of non-permitted hazardous materials offsite
*Maintain a closure plan

In the future, landfill owners who violate code could have their permit revoked, and be charged with a separate, Second Degree Misdemeanor for each day violations continue.

The ordinance stipulates that C&D disposal facilities would not be allowed near military and civilian airport facilities, except for a section east of Hwy. 87S, near NOLF Choctaw.

Santa Rosa Commissioners imposed a moratorium on C&D landfills last year, amidst contentious public hearings for proposed new facilities in East Milton; and complaints about odors and health problems occurring near the Stewart St. Joiner and Navarre Coyote landfills.

The final public hearing on the proposed new rules is slated for June 28.