Staff presented an update on the EcoLoop and informed the committee of the challenges of having a singular focus on the types of companies that could be recruited to the site.
The restriction in use is limited in the Board’s restrictive landuse rules for the site to just Waste-Related Service Uses. The adopted language currently says that the EcoLoop will “…develop and maintain a long-term solid waste management system, the Leveda Brown Environmental Park shall be utilized as a locale for centralized solid waste management facilities with the capacity for processing various components of the solid waste stream. The Waste-Related Services land uses shall include, but are not limited to, those uses permitted in the MS and MP zoning districts. In addition, a solid waste transfer station, salvage or recycled metal or tire yard, storage yard, material recovery, recycling and composting, and storage/ transfer or treatment of household hazardous waste are permitted by right.
Additional uses such as solar energy technologies, wood waste processing, repair center, manufacturing, reused material artisans, educational and research facilities, biodiesel processing, low-impact development technologies (i.e. green roofs, cisterns, solar power), broadcasting or wireless communication towers, textile/ carpet remanufacturing, emerging waste technologies, distribution, and sale of goods associated with the reuse/ reclaimed materials.”
Staff made a case for expanding the options for recruitment under the following parameters as a recommendation to the Board of County Commissioners to amend the 2010 Planned Development Zoning Master Plan.
Ideas discussed with the Advisory Board:
- What stays the same: Keep “waste-based” and add preferred or excluded industry types.
- What don’t we want: No “burn,” No smokestack industries
- What do we want for heavy-light industrial land use types: Example Compatibles: High-tech, Aerospace, Aviation, Semi-Conductor Manufacturing
- What should we be aware of: Check in with the Airport Authority for any landuse/industry groups before soliciting (com towers problematic, compost type industries)
Elliott Welker made a motion to recommend to the County Commission that EcoLoop’s PD be amended to also allow non-smokestack industries such as but not limited to high-technology, aerospace, aviation, and semi-conductor manufacturers. Ying Xu seconded the motion, and it passed unanimously.