News you can use: A blog post by Lee Becker, Ph.D.
http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/2013/04/garretts-claim-their-special-use-and.html
Are ALL the necessary EPD permits and protocol being followed by the Garrett's?
http://oconeecountyobservations.blogspot.com/2013/04/garretts-claim-their-special-use-and.html
Are ALL the necessary EPD permits and protocol being followed by the Garrett's?
Resources / links:
http://www.epa.gov/osw/nonhaz/municipal/transfer.htm
http://www.georgiaepd.org/Documents/rules_exist.html
RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION CHAPTER 391-3-4 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT:
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/EnvironmentalManagement/programs/downloads/EPDsolidWasteRules.pdf
http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2430&context=gsulr
http://www.georgiaepd.org/Documents/rules_exist.html
RULES OF GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION CHAPTER 391-3-4 SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT:
http://www.dca.state.ga.us/development/EnvironmentalManagement/programs/downloads/EPDsolidWasteRules.pdf
http://digitalarchive.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=2430&context=gsulr
Letters sent to EACH OCONEE COUNTY COMMISSIONER and a response from Commissioner John Daniell:
Sunday April 21, 2013
Dear Oconee Board of Commissioners,
I wanted to reach out to each of you in advance of your May, 7th, 2013 meeting to advise you of the strong opposition for the Solid Waste transfer station proposed for Dials Mill Road. More and more opposition is building in this case as the truth is being uncovered. I am including a couple of social media links below to keep you aware of how far reaching the implications of your decision will be in this case.
The perception at the Planning Commission meeting held on April 15, 2013 was that the Planning Commission members did not adequately investigate, probe, scrutinize and question the applicant on ALL the issues that were voiced by the concerned citizens in opposition to this type of business in this community. In fact, the applicant’s response to at least one critical question asked by a planning commission member was deceptively answered by the applicant at the very least, and not one Planning Commission member questioned the integrity of the answer.
In this particular example the volume of waste at a dump facility is calculated based on the number of trucks disposing waste which is based on the service area covered. In this case the answer given by the applicant was a 30 mile service area. This answer completely contradicts the service area stated in their business plan. In fact, the radius is more than double the answer given by the applicant. There are many other examples by this applicant that illustrate less than full disclosure and it is your responsibility and the community to terminate the proposal for this location.
Other business practices being used by this applicant are being questioned and we are hopeful that each of you will seek the truth that many already know and deny Harvest the special use permit they are seeking for this location.
I want to be clear that we do not oppose the operation of recycling, or even this business specifically, but we believe very adamantly that detrimental effects will occur if this business is approved for the proposed Dials Mill Road location. There are certainly many more appropriate alternative locations that are advantageous for heavy trucking and the likes of a business that is industrial in nature, rather than what is being sold and portrayed as suitable for our residential area. For example, this applicant has interest in a nearby landfill and I think you will agree that an industrial landfill location is much more congruent with a dumping station than a residential area location.
We look forward to presenting some new and accurate information regarding the circumstances in this case. We are hopeful that you are receptive to the information and are not duped by the propaganda that was used by the applicant and his representatives during the Planning Commission Hearing.
Sincerely,
Charles T. Ellison
https://www.facebook.com/NoTrashOnDoorstep
http://stopthedump.weebly.com/
Commisioner Daniell Response:
John Daniell 12:28 PM (4 hours ago)
to me Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I will take your comments into consideration during the meeting.
John
Sunday April 21, 2013
Dear Oconee Board of Commissioners,
I wanted to reach out to each of you in advance of your May, 7th, 2013 meeting to advise you of the strong opposition for the Solid Waste transfer station proposed for Dials Mill Road. More and more opposition is building in this case as the truth is being uncovered. I am including a couple of social media links below to keep you aware of how far reaching the implications of your decision will be in this case.
The perception at the Planning Commission meeting held on April 15, 2013 was that the Planning Commission members did not adequately investigate, probe, scrutinize and question the applicant on ALL the issues that were voiced by the concerned citizens in opposition to this type of business in this community. In fact, the applicant’s response to at least one critical question asked by a planning commission member was deceptively answered by the applicant at the very least, and not one Planning Commission member questioned the integrity of the answer.
In this particular example the volume of waste at a dump facility is calculated based on the number of trucks disposing waste which is based on the service area covered. In this case the answer given by the applicant was a 30 mile service area. This answer completely contradicts the service area stated in their business plan. In fact, the radius is more than double the answer given by the applicant. There are many other examples by this applicant that illustrate less than full disclosure and it is your responsibility and the community to terminate the proposal for this location.
Other business practices being used by this applicant are being questioned and we are hopeful that each of you will seek the truth that many already know and deny Harvest the special use permit they are seeking for this location.
I want to be clear that we do not oppose the operation of recycling, or even this business specifically, but we believe very adamantly that detrimental effects will occur if this business is approved for the proposed Dials Mill Road location. There are certainly many more appropriate alternative locations that are advantageous for heavy trucking and the likes of a business that is industrial in nature, rather than what is being sold and portrayed as suitable for our residential area. For example, this applicant has interest in a nearby landfill and I think you will agree that an industrial landfill location is much more congruent with a dumping station than a residential area location.
We look forward to presenting some new and accurate information regarding the circumstances in this case. We are hopeful that you are receptive to the information and are not duped by the propaganda that was used by the applicant and his representatives during the Planning Commission Hearing.
Sincerely,
Charles T. Ellison
https://www.facebook.com/NoTrashOnDoorstep
http://stopthedump.weebly.com/
Commisioner Daniell Response:
John Daniell 12:28 PM (4 hours ago)
to me Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I will take your comments into consideration during the meeting.
John
Another Letter sent:
Dear Oconee County Board of Commissioners,
Reference: Special Use 6305 and Hardship Variance 6306; Property Owner: Bernard Garrett
I attended the Planning Commission hearing on Monday, April 15, 2013. The Staff Analysis Statement that was read out loud on this evening indicated that they did not agree with the Special Use 6305 or the Hardship Variance 6306.
First, I have to tell you that I am extremely disappointed in the actions of the Planning Commission on that night. Never have I attended any type of hearing session where there was so much opposition to a proposed project that the Planning Commission went ahead and moved to approve the action the same night. It is my opinion that the Planning Commission did not conduct due diligence in vetting or addressing the questions and very valid concerns of those who are opposed to this project. Here are a few examples:
* Increased traffic by heavy, unsightly and potentially unsafe trucks on roads that are currently used by bicyclists, joggers, etc.
* It was proposed that there would be more than 120 trips per day in and out of this facility headed toward GA 316 or Highway 78 during the proposed 6 am to 6 pm operational hours. Do you realize that this means 10 trips per hour, or one heavy truck driving up and down the road every 6 minutes!
* Adding an “industrial facility” to an area that is zoned agricultural and residential and where the Comprehensive 2030 plan calls for suburban living with country estates and conventional subdivisions;
* An increase in unsightly sights and smells, as well as an increase in sounds when asphalt and concrete are ground up. I recently visited a similar site in Jefferson, GA where there was a definite odor of rotting garbage and the smells attracted flies and other insects.
* Lack of any plans for safety and security – the proposed buffers will take years to grow before adjacent landowners and neighborhoods recognize any semblance of privacy or shielding from this facility.
Frankly, as this was the first time that many opponents had an opportunity to learn about the true nature of this proposal and the variances, I was appalled that the Planning Commission did not vote to table this and hear further comments for or against at a future session.
Since this meeting, a couple of additional issues have come to my attention. It is important that you note that I believe in the concept of recycling and my Husband and I are avid re-users and recyclers. I have learned that while this proposed “Harvest Recycling Plant” will be accepting household garbage, they will not be recycling glass bottles, plastic bottles nor cans – these types of recyclables will be shipped back to a landfill! It is my understanding that they will only be looking to recycle items that will bring them a greater profit.
I have also learned that the majority of those in attendance at the Planning Commission Meeting who signed up to speak, were actually employees of Bernard Garrett and his current business venture, Roll Off Systems. In actuality, they did not have anything to say other than they were “for it”. Frankly, I don’t fault them for this—I would want to keep my job, too! Had all of us in attendance who are opposed to this proposed plant signed up to speak, perhaps the Planning Commissioners would have had a better idea of the great number of us who are “not for it”.
I will be in attendance at the upcoming May 7, 2013, Board of Commissioners Meeting and I can only trust that you will carefully and judiciously respect all points of view when handling this matter. But more importantly, I would venture to guess that you would not like a facility similar to this in your back yard, or across or down the street from you.
Respectfully yours,
Dear Oconee County Board of Commissioners,
Reference: Special Use 6305 and Hardship Variance 6306; Property Owner: Bernard Garrett
I attended the Planning Commission hearing on Monday, April 15, 2013. The Staff Analysis Statement that was read out loud on this evening indicated that they did not agree with the Special Use 6305 or the Hardship Variance 6306.
First, I have to tell you that I am extremely disappointed in the actions of the Planning Commission on that night. Never have I attended any type of hearing session where there was so much opposition to a proposed project that the Planning Commission went ahead and moved to approve the action the same night. It is my opinion that the Planning Commission did not conduct due diligence in vetting or addressing the questions and very valid concerns of those who are opposed to this project. Here are a few examples:
* Increased traffic by heavy, unsightly and potentially unsafe trucks on roads that are currently used by bicyclists, joggers, etc.
* It was proposed that there would be more than 120 trips per day in and out of this facility headed toward GA 316 or Highway 78 during the proposed 6 am to 6 pm operational hours. Do you realize that this means 10 trips per hour, or one heavy truck driving up and down the road every 6 minutes!
* Adding an “industrial facility” to an area that is zoned agricultural and residential and where the Comprehensive 2030 plan calls for suburban living with country estates and conventional subdivisions;
* An increase in unsightly sights and smells, as well as an increase in sounds when asphalt and concrete are ground up. I recently visited a similar site in Jefferson, GA where there was a definite odor of rotting garbage and the smells attracted flies and other insects.
* Lack of any plans for safety and security – the proposed buffers will take years to grow before adjacent landowners and neighborhoods recognize any semblance of privacy or shielding from this facility.
Frankly, as this was the first time that many opponents had an opportunity to learn about the true nature of this proposal and the variances, I was appalled that the Planning Commission did not vote to table this and hear further comments for or against at a future session.
Since this meeting, a couple of additional issues have come to my attention. It is important that you note that I believe in the concept of recycling and my Husband and I are avid re-users and recyclers. I have learned that while this proposed “Harvest Recycling Plant” will be accepting household garbage, they will not be recycling glass bottles, plastic bottles nor cans – these types of recyclables will be shipped back to a landfill! It is my understanding that they will only be looking to recycle items that will bring them a greater profit.
I have also learned that the majority of those in attendance at the Planning Commission Meeting who signed up to speak, were actually employees of Bernard Garrett and his current business venture, Roll Off Systems. In actuality, they did not have anything to say other than they were “for it”. Frankly, I don’t fault them for this—I would want to keep my job, too! Had all of us in attendance who are opposed to this proposed plant signed up to speak, perhaps the Planning Commissioners would have had a better idea of the great number of us who are “not for it”.
I will be in attendance at the upcoming May 7, 2013, Board of Commissioners Meeting and I can only trust that you will carefully and judiciously respect all points of view when handling this matter. But more importantly, I would venture to guess that you would not like a facility similar to this in your back yard, or across or down the street from you.
Respectfully yours,
Another Letter Sent:
Dear Oconee County Commissioners, In reference to the recycling or transfer station proposed for Dials Mill Road.
As a concerned citizen and property owner in Oconee County, I would like to appeal to you to consider the detrimental effect this type industry would cause in our country living area of this county. THIS IS INDUSTRY NOT FARMING OR RESIDENTIAL AS ZONED! I realize this company already owns the eight acres in question plus some additional acres that connect to those eight. The additional acres surely will, at a later time, be used for some type waste.
There must be property somewhere in an industrial area of Oconee County that could accommodate this type business. It's hard to understand how such a few acres can be allowed to adversely affect the property and lives of so many others. As a commissioner representing all residents and working for the betterment of our environment, please consider a more in depth investigation of this hazardous endeavor before its reality.
As mentioned so many times already, the traffic and roads are a major concern also, Dials Mill and McNutt Creek Roads are just not built for such use. We as tax payers are expected to pay for this?
Thank you for your consideration,
Dear Oconee County Commissioners, In reference to the recycling or transfer station proposed for Dials Mill Road.
As a concerned citizen and property owner in Oconee County, I would like to appeal to you to consider the detrimental effect this type industry would cause in our country living area of this county. THIS IS INDUSTRY NOT FARMING OR RESIDENTIAL AS ZONED! I realize this company already owns the eight acres in question plus some additional acres that connect to those eight. The additional acres surely will, at a later time, be used for some type waste.
There must be property somewhere in an industrial area of Oconee County that could accommodate this type business. It's hard to understand how such a few acres can be allowed to adversely affect the property and lives of so many others. As a commissioner representing all residents and working for the betterment of our environment, please consider a more in depth investigation of this hazardous endeavor before its reality.
As mentioned so many times already, the traffic and roads are a major concern also, Dials Mill and McNutt Creek Roads are just not built for such use. We as tax payers are expected to pay for this?
Thank you for your consideration,