Orange County — Board of Zoning Adjustment

SE-17-03-014 — COWART MULCH

Request: Special Exception in the Ind-2/Ind-3 zoning district to operate a Yard Trash Processing Facility. (Note: The applicant proposes to use a wood chipper to break down vegetation, tree limbs and brush into mulch for wholesale. There will be no burning of any kind. The applicant proposes to keep the 5 existing buildings on site. Hours of operation will be Monday-Saturday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. An attendant will be present at all times.)

Decision: Approved

Hearing: The applicant proposes to bring vegetation, logs, trees and wood to the site and grind it into mulch and soil for future sales. The property is already zoned to sell mulch and soil. Staff gave a short presentation regarding this request. The area is developing as industrial. There is an airport nearby. The property allows intense industrial land uses. Staff supports the request at this location. The applicant gave a brief presentation and answered questions. They indicated they plan to use the rail spur adjacent to the property. All equipment and construction vehicles will meet the yard buffer requirements. One property owner spoke in opposition. He had concerns about noise and dust. The operator addressed those concerns and agreed to lower the mound heights and not commence any grinding until 8:00 am. The BZA concluded this request was compatible with the general area and was consistent with the Comprehensive Plan. Staff received 4 commentaries in favor of this request.