Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
<br />interpreted to mean that they should recommend whether a transfer station should go on <br />Eubanks Road. During the meeting, a consultant gave a presentation about the technical <br />details of waste transfer stations. The presentation was followed by a brief discussion of <br />operational issues, such as whether the transfer station would fit on the Eubanks site and <br />whether there would be enough parking. She said that one question was raised about the <br />center of waste generation, to which Gayle Wilson gave an answer that included the phrase, <br />"There has not been a scientific analysis." She said that, when asked about the passibility of <br />expanding the transfer station for future trash needs, Gayle Wilson responded that expansion at <br />the site was not possible. She said that the discussion did not include any mention of <br />community-based issues listed in Dr. Sassaman's memo. There was no discussion about the <br />environmental justice issues inherent in the citing of a waste transfer station next to the Rogers <br />Road community; no mention of the close proximity of the Eubanks site to hundreds of <br />residences, future schools, and recreational sites; and no mention of the transfer station's <br />impact, traffic or otherwise, in combination with adjacent land uses. She said that there was no <br />consideration of alternate sites, and there was never even a search for alternate sites. She said <br />that the SWAB voted during that meeting to recommend the Eubanks site as the most <br />appropriate location in the County for a waste transfer station. As for community participation in <br />the decision, the two SWAB members who live near the landfill were virtually silent during the <br />discussion. The recommendation was formalized in March 2006 and the neighborhood meeting <br />was not held until January 2007. She said that, contrary to Dr. Sassaman's insertion, the <br />location of a transfer station on Eubanks certainly has not been discussed in the public for mare <br />than a year, and the public has not been a legitimate partner in the facility citing process. She <br />said that the conclusion of the memo is the mast disturbing, which says, "No matter where a <br />facility is sited, there will be strong opposition." She said that this does not give the County an <br />excuse to continue dumping on this area. She said that the timing of this issue is not an excuse <br />for poor decision-making. She commended Commissioner Nelson for opposing landfill <br />expansion in the `90's. She said that the reasons for opposing the waste transfer station now <br />are much the same. <br />Dave Richter said that he spoke two weeks ago at the last County Commissioners' <br />meeting and he has also sent emails. He said that he has not changed his feelings at this point. <br />He spoke about the necessity of combining personal integrity and professional integrity. He said <br />that there is no integrity in this process and it has not been an honest process. He said that the <br />EPA guidelines have not been followed and there has been no real site search. He said that <br />there has been no discussion on social justice matters in the SWAB. He said that not one of the <br />Board of County Commissioners gave the direction to do an actual formal site search. He said <br />that if the County Commissioners really believe that this is the right thing to do, then they should <br />address Rev. Campbell directly, eye to eye, and tell him how proud they are of haw they got <br />here, and how a water pipe that half of the community cannot afford to hook up to makes up for <br />34 years of smelling garbage. He spoke to Rev. Campbell and said that he has to take <br />responsibility to some extent because he has voted for most everybody on this Board of County <br />Commissioners. He said that he would not vote again for anyone who votes to put this transfer <br />station on Eubanks Road. <br />Hunter Pendleton lives in Northwood. He said that the Eubanks location is not <br />appropriate for the volume of traffic that the transfer station would handle. Especially since now <br />there will be an elementary school on Eubanks Road. He asked the County Commissioners to <br />please put into place the process that will result in a proper placement of the transfer station. <br />He asked why an elementary school could be built in 15 months, but a transfer station takes 38 <br />months. <br />Katrina Ryan made reference to the memo from Jan Sassaman and said that there is <br />one relevant sentence: "We did not consider aCounty-wide search." She said that there are <br />over 200 pieces of property in excess of 10 acres within one half mile of either I-40 or I-85. She <br />