The San Benito County Planning Department is continuing the
process of creating a
”
resource recovery park
”
at the John Smith Landfill by holding a public workshop last
week where residents expressed concerns and talked up benefits of
the necessary zoning change.
The San Benito County Planning Department is continuing the process of creating a “resource recovery park” at the John Smith Landfill by holding a public workshop last week where residents expressed concerns and talked up benefits of the necessary zoning change.
County supervisors about 15 months ago approved the go-ahead on the idea for expanding the county landfill on 133 acres south and west of the current operation, with hopes it could attract energy-producing and manufacturing businesses to the area. The planning department has deemed it necessary to change the zoning of the area from agricultural to heavy industrial, and the workshop Wednesday allowed residents to speak out.
There, residents expressed concerns on such topics as the status of John Smith Road and potential impacts on sound, air pollution and wildlife. Others supported the proposal’s potential benefit to the local economy.
“They’re asking the county to be good neighbors. The county, of course, desires to do that,” said Gary Byrne, head of planning and building, adding how some residents are upset about litter to the road and that the county will “try to keep an eye on it and clean it up”.
From here, it should take about 90 days for the zoning change to head back to the planning commission before going before the board for ultimate approval, said Mandy Rose, director of Integrated Waste Management.
The 30-acre recovery park would feature a recycling drop-off area, green and wood waste collection and processing areas, a reusable items center, and a hazardous waste and e-waste center. There also would be 15 acres devoted to businesses for use of landfill gas or other energy produced on site.
The county currently is undergoing an environmental impact review, along with the proposed zoning change. It has budgeted $300,000 for environmental and other consulting work. Under the current operation, the landfill has about 17 years of capacity remaining.
For more on this topic, see the Pinnacle on Friday.
