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MINUTES OF THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION Continuation of Public Hearing-Special Called Meeting Cumberland Elementary School Monday, June 18, 2018 6:30 p.m. PRESENT: Bill Burger, District 3, Chairman Randy Bryant, District 1, Vice-Chairman Stephen Donahue, District 2 Hubert Allen, District 4 Roland Gilliam, District 5 William Flippen, At-Large Leo Henderson, At-Large ALSO PRESENT: JP Duncan, Planning Director Vivian Giles, County Administrator/Attorney David Meinhard, Board of Supervisors member ABSENT: None CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Chairman Burger called the Planning Commission’s continuation of public hearing-special called meeting of Monday, June 18, 2018 to order at 6:30 p.m. and a quorum was established. APPROVAL OF AGENDA MOTION: Commissioner Allen made a motion to approve the agenda. Commissioner Donahue seconded. The motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7-0. REZ 18-03 GREEN RIDGE FACILITY Chairman Burger stated that he had taken notes regarding audience questions of REZ 18-03 during the 6/14/2018 special called meeting. Following that meeting, he reached out to the applicant with audience questions for clarification. Chairman Burger proceeded with reading the audience questions and supplying the applicant’s answers. PUBLIC HEARING: CUP 18-06 GREEN RIDGE FACILITY Mr. JP Duncan provided an overview of the 39 conditions in the Conditional Use Permit. ---PAGE BREAK--- The applicant, Mr. William Shewmake, thanked the staff and Planning Commission and requested the opportunity to speak following the public hearing to allow him the chance to address any questions or concerns. The Chairman opened the public hearing. Ms. Janet Habel of 28 The Woods stated that she opposes the CUP and requested that the Planning Commission vote no to the proposed Green Ridge Facility. She stated that Powhatan should have been notified. Ms. Habel noted there will be too much traffic causing noise and accidents. She was concerned about pollution, as well. Ms. Habel felt that VDOT did not do its job and she wanted to know when the VDOT study was done. Mr. Patrick Born of 6582 Blenheim Rd lives in Powhatan with his wife and 8 children. He also owns property in Cumberland and was concerned about safety, pollution and the decline in property values. Mr. Cecil Youngblood of 2554 Ridge Rd in Powhatan stated that he can hear Rt. 60 from his yard and will be able to smell the landfill. Mr. Youngblood was also concerned about pollution. He requested that the Planning Commission vote no. Mr. Ragnar Gunnarsson of 57 Alder Lane stated that he wanted to live in the country and that property values have now plummeted. He stated that the landfill is mistake. Mr. Nicholai Jerome of 355 Pinegrove Rd stated that he will be making his vote count in Cumberland this year. He stated that the landfill is a bad idea and he plans on turning part of his property into a wetland reserve. Mr. Artour Saavahn of 52 Churchwood Lane referenced failures of landfill liners. He stated that groundwater will be contaminated by poison and the Planning Commission should vote no. Ms. Jacqueline James of 75 Pinegrove Rd with vested interest in 5 Alder Lane believes that the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisor members have ownership interest in the company. She stated that all trash stinks and that nearby properties will be impacted. Ms. Patty Pedrick of Trents Mill Rd hoped that the proposed landfill is not a done deal. She stated 3 foot high trees are much too short to be used as a buffer and she would like to know how the $400,000 prepayment will be used. She stated the money should be used to reduce the debt in Cumberland. Mr. Tom Cochran of 72 Ruby Lane does not like the landfill and believes many people will be hurt by this project. Mr. Robert Bishop of Powhatan, with dogs in Cumberland, stated that he has not heard a single good comment from Cumberland or Powhatan citizens regarding the landfill. He fears that the James River will be polluted and he would like to know how the traffic study was done. He was glad that the Planning Commission adjourned on June 14th to allow time to think. Mr. Bishop stated that people will not be moving into Cumberland due to this project. Mr. Bill Bruce of 63 Agee Ln was given 6 minutes to represent both himself and Robyn Cochran of 72 Ruby Ln. He stated the noise restriction is only for half of the landfill. He also mentioned a referendum and inappropriate meetings/conversations. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mr. Bill McGonigal of Mottley Mill Rd stated he moved here from Chesterfield. He states that the landfill will cause death and that groundwater was contaminated in another place causing a child’s death. Ms. Shelly Riddle of 32 Raines Tavern Rd deferred her time to Mr. Bill Bruce. He stated that Dr. Thornton put his name on the school and Cumberland should put the Planning Commission’s names on the landfill. Mr. Bruce also stated that most of the traffic will be coming from and there are discrepancies between the numbers of trucks on the road in the applications. Mr. Michael Scales of 302 Anderson Hwy stated that he has many ties to Miller and Alder Lane. He also stated that no one is speaking in favor of the landfill so it is overwhelmingly clear that the citizens do not want the landfill. Mr. Scales also wanted to know the amount of money generated from this proposed project. Mr. Tim Kennell of 58 The Woods inquired as to what addresses specifically constituted adjacent properties. He stated that citizens are being given an insulting offer. He suggested increasing taxes instead of bringing the proposed landfill. Mr. James Riddle of 32 Raines Tavern Rd deferred his time to Mr. Bill Bruce. Mr. Bruce mentioned his referendum sheet and he stated the County Attorney should not have hired another attorney for this project. He implored the Planning Commission to listen to the people. Mr. Josh Habel of 6080 Anderson Hwy in Powhatan inquired as to how the runoff will contained and treated. He stated that this project will fail and become a disaster. Mr. Bruce Allen of 224 Miller Lane stated that his property will be impacted and that dumps smell. He stated that the company only cares about the money and that this matter is not funny. Mr. Kevin Halligan of 6372 Haliford Dr in Powhatan asked the Planning Commission to please give serious consideration to the neighbors. He stated the project was putting the area at risk for noise and environmental pollution. He urged the Planning Commission to vote no. Mr. Michael Setaro of 71 Hideaway Trail stated that the extra revenue will be wasted. He stated that Powhatan and Goochland will be affected. He stated that the VDOT traffic study was flawed. Ms. Debbie Bruce deferred her time to Mr. Bruce Allen of 224 Miller Lane. He stated that Powhatan and Goochland are meeting on June 19 and that they do not want the proposed landfill. Ms. Lynn Nelson was given 6 minutes to represent both herself and Kennie Nelson of 460 Cartersville Rd. Ms. Nelson spoke about her family and described how some relatives live near a landfill in NC. She states the odor is horrible and that the landfill is going to destroy the whole county. Mr. James Shedoian of 249 Frenchs Store Rd asked several questions about compensation, odor, monitoring and the liner. Mr. David Clark of 62 Miller Ln stated that the landfill will kill growth in the area. He stated the landfill will be at his front door and that there will be trucks and dozers day and night. ---PAGE BREAK--- Mr. Jim Sharp of stated that he previously worked with a non-profit organization called Campaign Virginia and they oppose landfills and help stop the creation of landfills. Mr. Bill Knoll of 63 Plymouth Rd stated that the Planning Commission does not have the education to make this decision. He stated if the Planning Commission cannot do better than this, they should quit. Ms. Sharon Layman of 50 Ownby Rd deferred her time to Mr. Jim Sharp who stated that he would fight the landfill. He stated that Cumberland’s trash should go to the landfill in Amelia. Mr. Doug Cosby of Chesterfield doesn’t want to turn Cumberland County into the armpit of the east coast. He asked if the Planning Commission members had walked the land and stated that land values will be significantly affected. Mr. Cosby stated that Supervisors who vote for the landfill will not be re-elected and those appointed by the Board will not be reappointed. Mr. Howie Eckert of 286 Brown Road stated he and his girlfriend had just moved from Richmond to avoid the pollution and are first time homeowners. He stated that land owners lost 50-60% of their land values right away. Mr. Eckert stated that millennials will start moving to Cumberland County if the landfill is not approved. An unknown gentleman gave his time to Mr. Bill Bruce who stated that his driveway will be 50 feet from the entrance to the proposed landfill. Mr. Bruce stated that the gentleman will be negatively impacted by the project and that four Planning Commission members should vote no. With no other citizens signed up to speak, the Chairman then closed the public hearing. Commissioner Bryant stated that he has heard everyone and knows the land. He stated that he has not made up his mind and has not been told how to vote. Commissioner Donahue thanked all who spoke as it took courage to speak publically. He stated that his mind was not made up and that he does this voluntarily. Commissioner Donahue stated that he believes taxes are theft so he does not take a salary. He stated that he has nothing against businesses or County Waste. Commissioner Donahue stated that the County Government needs more revenue to meet their obligations. Finally, he stated that the problem with the project is that it will negatively impact the adjoining properties. Commissioner Henderson thanked everyone for coming to the meetings and thanked the majority who held their tempers. He stated that no one tells him what to do and that the Planning Commission gets paid very little which he was not even aware of. Commissioner Allen thanked all participants and stated that he has not made a decision yet. He noted that about 1/3 of the group is from Powhatan and that most of the people in his district are in favor of the project. Commissioner Allen noted that the Planning Commission has to review all applications. Commissioner Gilliam thanked everyone for voicing their opinions and stated that that he had listened to everyone. He noted that he has not made a decision yet. ---PAGE BREAK--- Commissioner Flippen stated that the Planning Commission has not made a decision yet and that nothing underhanded is happening. He appreciated the emotion of the people and stated that he has recently spoken with realtors and truck drivers. Chairman Burger then allowed the applicant, Mr. William Shewmake, the opportunity to speak. Mr. Shewmake discussed traffic and stated that County Waste and Green Ridge will be a good partner with the county. He stated that this industry is heavily regulated and is safer, in many ways, than other businesses. Mr. Shewmake stated that Green Ridge will not accept waste water treatment sludge, reprocessed sheetrock, or material number of animal carcasses to cut down on the odor. He noted that landfills have not kept people out of Chesterfield. He noted that the County can independently test wells and that the company will test wells, as well. Mr. Shewmake noted that some people do support this project but they will not speak out. He stated that County Waste takes pride in its company and wants to do things right. He closed by saying that the industry is necessary and would be a good industry for Cumberland. The Planning Commission asked Mr. Shewmake several questions. Chairman Burger then announced that both REZ 18-03 and CUP 18-06 would be deferred until the June 25, 2018 meeting. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Commissioner Allen moved to adjourn to the next Planning Commission meeting of Monday, June 25, 2018, at 6:30 p.m. or as soon after as may be heard. Commissioner Donahue seconded. The motion carried unanimously with a vote of 7-0. Attested: Bill Burger, Planning Commission Chairman Date James P. Duncan, Planning Director Date