BENTONVILLE -- Benton County's Planning Board voted against allowing a solid waste business in an area on Springtown Road.
The issue was on the agenda at Wednesday night's meeting.
Central Arkansas Recycling and Disposal Services is requesting permits for a solid waste transfer station at 14170 Springtown Road. The proposal includes redeveloping the 132 acres by remodeling a 49,500-square-foot structure into a solid waste transfer station. It includes an office, warehouse, fleet/equipment maintenance and solid waste sorting within the facility. The proposal calls for the immediate area around the existing structure to be used for outdoor material storage of solid waste containers.
Janet Dewitt, who lives on Springtown Road, said it's ludicrous to consider placing the business in an agricultural area. She also questioned why action hadn't been taken since Central Arkansas Recycling is operating without a permit from the county.
Steven Burnett, who lives on Springtown Road, said he was concerned about the traffic and speed of the trucks traveling in the area.
Ashley Tucker, Planning Board chairman, said it was his understanding they're cleaning up a building from tornado damage.
Several people in the audience spoke up and claimed Central Arkansas Recycling was still operating the business.
Neither representatives for Central Arkansas Recycling nor the attorney for the business attended the meeting. They requested earlier the issue be tabled for the Dec. 4 meeting.
Tucker said it was his understanding Central Arkansas Recycling was seeking a different location for the business and if a new location is found then it will drop the request for the permit.
The planners voted against tabling the request.
The planners then voted against granting Central Arkansas Recycling the permit. Many planners said their vote against the permit was because Central Arkansas Recycling wasn't in compliance with the county and didn't believe the business was a proper fit for the area.
The item was on the board's agenda last month, but was tabled. Several residents also spoke out against the plan at the October meeting.
The owner has operated a truck/equipment maintenance and storage facility for Central Arkansas Recycling's business without approval from the Planning Board, according to documents.
The property was purchased by the owner in February. The county received in March a complaint regarding activity on the site specifically regarding flood management regulations.
In September, the county sent a land-use notice of violation to stakeholders outlining continued operation of an unapproved commercial/industrial land use.
NW News on 11/07/2019