Republic Services reapplies to have Carlisle Township site rezoned for compost

CARLISLE TWP. — Republic Services is again asking for a rezoning that would allow the company to create a yard waste compost facility adjacent to its Lorain County Landfill site. The proposed rezoning, from low-density residential to solid waste, would affect about 50 acres located between Oberlin-Elyria Road, Butternut Ridge Road and West Ridge Road. It must earn the approval of the Carlisle Township Board of Trustees before work could begin. According to Republic's rezoning application, the Class 4 compost facility itself would take up 16 acres within the parcel and would accept no more than 10,000 tons of Lorain County-generated yard waste in its first year. After that, Republic could request the ability to accept yard waste from other counties. Vehicles would enter and exit the facility from the existing Lorain County Landfill entrance off Oberlin-Elyria Road, according to the application. The waste collection company previously applied for a nearly identical rezoning in 2019. At that time, an exemption from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency that allowed Republic to place yard waste in a regular landfill had expired, forcing the company to start transporting Lorain County yard waste to compost facilities elsewhere and increasing costs. That initial application received the OK from both the Lorain County Planning Commission and the township Zoning Commission, but faced backlash from residents concerned that odors and traffic coming from the proposed compost site would negatively impact their neighborhood and quality of life. Carlisle Township trustees ultimately voted down the rezoning in October 2020. With Republic's re-application, the process began again Thursday at a meeting of the Lorain County Planning Commission with members voting 9-1 to recommend the rezoning. North Ridgeville Mayor Kevin Corcoran, who voted in favor of recommending the proposal, said there have been issues getting rid of yard waste from his city due to Republic's lack of a compost area at the Lorain County Landfill property. "From my perspective, I'd rather see it go forward so there is a place close by, so it doesn't increase costs to residents of the county that are using the services," Corcoran said. Lorain County Commissioner Matt Lundy, who voiced the lone "no" vote, said he was conflicted about the proposal. Although he said he would like to see a compost facility for yard waste in the county, he also receives regular phone calls from residents frustrated with road conditions around Republic's landfill and debris left behind in the area. "I'd love them to find a facility for the yard waste. I just wish it wasn't here," Lundy said. "I wish it was literally out in the middle of nowhere where we weren't going to have an issue with neighbors." As an advisory board, the County Planning Commission's vote is just a recommendation. The Carlisle Township Zoning Commission is scheduled to host a public hearing on the issue prior to their 7 p.m. June 16 meeting, when a vote could be taken. Carlisle Township trustees will also hold a public hearing on this issue at 6 p.m. July 19, before their 7 p.m. meeting that same night. Additional information from Republic Services was not available Thursday. Contact Dylan Reynolds at (440) 329-7123 or dreynolds@chroniclet.com. Follow him on Twitter @drey1357.