Neighbors Unite Against Proposed Solid Waste Facility

With plans afoot to create a solid waste processing facility in their neighborhood, a determined band of residents pleaded with Lexington County Council on Tuesday to deny the project.

Tristar Land Co., LLC, of Columbia, has applied to the county to construct a facility at a working sand mine on nearly 17 acres of land along Belo Road near the center of the county. If approved by council, the firm plans to create a wood-chipping and composting facility on the site. County Solid Waste Management Director David Eger said the facility would process wood wastes that could eventually be used as fuel, soil medium, and erosion control, among other uses.

The company has received preliminary approval from council already, but at a public hearing Tuesday night upwards of 18 residents from the mostly rural residential area told council members the project would add to already dangerous traffic levels and conditions created by dump trucks entering and leaving sand pits on the site.

Further, many residents fretted about water and air pollution the site might create, not to mention visual blight, and a decrease in their property values.

Several residents also questioned the need for such a facility at all, noting there were three other facilities within a few miles of the site that already do what Tristar envisions.

Christine Kennedy, who lives near the site, recounted how a dump truck nearly hit her and her daughter. With heavy trucks already using the site, any additional business will only worsen an already dangerous traffic problem, she said. 

"I don't know what else to say but, 'please help us,'" she told council members. 

Mikeal Schacht, who lives on Belo Ridge Road, echoed those sentiments, saying the existing traffic and the speeding of trucks in the area already has him worried enough for his family's safety. "I'm responsible for a 10 year old," he said. "I'm just really concerned."

"I moved out in the country to get away from something like this," said another area resident. "My question to you is, are we putting business over quality of life for Lexington County citizens"?

David Power, owner of Power Engineering Co., which developed the site plan, told council that the business should generate only a slight increase in traffic. "We don't expect huge volumes," he said. Power also said that the size of compost windrows -- another persistent resident concern -- should not be too much of an issue. The average heap, he said, would average 7 feet tall, and 15 feet wide. "We're not talking about big, giant mounds," he said.

A few residents voiced concern about the possibility of ground seepage from wood wastes that might erode water quality, since residents in the area rely on wells. Another resident, Sara Steele, said she also was concerned that poor air quality in the area would worsen with increased traffic and activity at the site. "Some days you open your door and it's like Los Angeles, California," she said.

Area resident Diane Schacht added she also was concerned about property values if the site is built.

"This is a totally residential area," she said. "Our property values have already took a hit with the economy. … This will only hurt us more."

Tristar's application still needs final approval by council before it can move forward. Because it was a public hearing only, council members made no comment Tuesday night about the site's fate before moving on to other business. But final approval could come as soon as next month when council meets again in regular session on Aug. 23.