NEWS: JCC Supervisors Approve Waste Recycling Facility
Contents of septic tanks, grease traps and storm drains will become compost instead of going into local landfills
The James City County unanimously approved a special use permit (SUP) allowing a proposed waste recycling facility to proceed on a site off Green Mount Parkway, next to the Skiffe’s Creek Reservoir. According to County planning documents, Newport News-based Ziegler Plumbing intends to use the land for a facility capable of turning the waste from customers’ septic tanks, restaurant grease traps and sewer basins into compost. The company plans to sell the end product on a wholesale basis and the facility will not be open to the public. Overall, the company expects to process 7,000 gallons of “organic waste materials” daily, keeping it out of local landfills and creating 5,500 cubic yards of compost annually.
Locally owned and operated
At the meeting, representatives from Ziegler spoke to the Board and noted the company is family-owned and has been serving the area for more than fifty years. They spoke about the regional need for the facility, pointing to the disruptive nature of these types of waste materials on the local waste management system, as well as the associated rising disposal costs at local municipal dumping facilities and rising transportation costs. “We’re at a crossroads in the environmental waste hauling business,” said Will Siebels, one of the company’s representatives and family members. “We had to find a way to mitigate these issues.”
Working with Ziegler, County planners coined the term “resource recovery facility” to describe the site’s concept. “This plan and process is simple in nature, and it creates a regenerative, recycled product that can be sold and used,” Siebels said. Later, he commented that “demand for compost is very high … there’s not a lot of people doing this, not in Virginia.”
New Board Chair and Jamestown District representative, Jim Icenhour described the project as “unique and innovative” and said that he applauded them for their proposal. Board Member and Stonehouse District representative Barbara Null, voiced her support by noting, “I’ve been down [Green Mount Parkway] and nobody’s even going to know you’re there.” The site totals 96 acres and is zoned M-2, General Industrial, though company representatives noted that only 5-7 acres will be built on and the rest of the land will be left undisturbed. This parcel is the last available in the Green Mount Industrial Park, according to the company.
The project was approved by the JCC Planning Commission last year on a 7-0 vote. According to summary documents, the Hampton Roads Sanitation District (HRSD) also preliminarily agreed to allow the facility to discharge liquid waste from the source materials back into the nearby sewer system.
Mitigation of Impacts/Potentially Unfavorable Conditions
The County’s planning staff indicates that concerns about the project which surfaced during the planning process will be mitigated with suggestions and input made to the plan. These “Impacts/Potentially Unfavorable Conditions” as labeled by the County include:
Odor and other impacts on neighbors
The SUP passed by the Board of Supervisors forbids odors from crossing the property’s boundaries. Ruth Larson, Berkeley District representative and former Board Chair, asked the applicants about potential odor issues related to the facility. Siebels described how the air filtration system is actually able to use the very compost produced by the process to filter the air, forming the basis of an eco-friendly system. The company is also considering supplemental air quality systems as well. Additionally, details about items such as fencing and lighting were included to minimize the impact on surrounding properties.
Water Issues
In addition to obtaining final approval from HRSD, developers must obtain approval for a “pollutant discharge elimination system” from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), or prove one is not necessary. The SUP also requires a plan for controlling spills, and containment if one should happen as well as special measures for the handling of stormwater runoff.
Public Safety
Roberts District representative John McGlennon asked the company’s representatives about the potential for fire concerns about the property. Siebels responded that ultimately, the biggest factor would be about controlling the sizing of the piles of materials to reduce fire risk.
The JCC Fire Department approved of the plan according to County planners, indicating that Fire Station 2, located 3.8 miles away will service the site in case of emergency. As part of safety efforts, the planners made suggestions about the size of piles of different materials and keeping them safely separated. A more detailed Fire Safety Plan is also required as part of the SUP.
Traffic
Traffic to and from the entire property, which will contain several components, is estimated to total of 145 trips per day, with 50 peak hour trips. Expected vehicles will include “vacuum trucks transporting organic waste materials, and trucks and tractor trailers transporting bulk vegetative materials and compost products.” In order to mitigate the traffic’s impact, planners point to provisions in SUP ensuring easy access onto Green Mount Parkway, should it ever be extended.
Archeological
Supervisor Larson also asked County planners about the sensitivity of potential archaeological sites thought to spot the property. Planners noted that the site is located in the “Ultra-Sensitivity Area as described in the James City County Archaeology Assessment.” A required study conducted by the company acknowledged previously known archaeological sites related to the “Blow Family House and Wheatland Plantation.” The study indicates that meaningful historic finds on the property could be eligible for the National Registry of Historic Places. The SUP requires that developers further investigate the site and report on potential discoveries as they build.
(Update 1-18-25: Grammatical error fixed.)
George Arbogust is Founder and Editor of the Williamsburg Independent. You can contribute too! Email tips & story ideas: contact@williamsburgindependent.com