UPDATE: The Hamilton County Commission has opened the door for a construction and demolition landfill in the Harrison community.
This morning, the commission voted 7-2 to approve a request by landfill developer Birchwood II LLC to zone 25 acres of agricultural property, situated next to the existing city landfill on Birchwood Pike, for industrial purposes. Commissioner Chester Bankston, who represents Harrison voted against the measure, voted against the measure along with Commissioner Joe Graham.
"There is no right or wrong here," Commissioner Greg Beck said. "I try to vote on what is needed."
Commissioner Warren Mackey assured the 30 Harrison residents gathered to opposed the landfill that he and his colleagues took the matter very seriously.
Harrison residents have voiced concerns that rain water would drain pollutants from the dump onto their properties and the Tennessee River.
The landfill will accept items such as building wood, concrete and trees. It is not a sanitary landfill which accepts household garbage.
After the meeting, landfill developer Greg Krum said he expected it would take between eight and 12 months before the landfill would become operational.
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ORIGINAL STORY: The Hamilton County Commission decides today whether to open the door for a second landfill in the Harrison community.
Developer Birchwood II LLC would like to see its privately operated 25-acre construction and demolition landfill situated next to the city's solid waste landfill on Birchwood Pike. The proposed landfill would handle materials such concrete, metals, drywall, building lumber, trees and stumps, Birchwood II representatives have said.
A ridge separates the community from the city landfill, but not the one proposed by Birchwood II, residents complained.
Last week, the developer and about 30 residents made arguments for and against the company's request to rezone the property, located at 9000 Bryan Lane, for industrial use.
"Right now, I get some noise and odor pollution from the existing landfill, but I've got a big ridge that buffers it," resident Sam Wells said last week. "It's not too bad. If they're allowed to come over, all of the noise and the garbage and the waste will come over with it."
The residents claimed 2,100 residents had signed a petition they gave to county commissioners.
Some residents said they worried about rain leaching dangerous chemicals from dumped materials and washing them onto to their properties and Harrison Bay.
George Hyfantis, hazardous materials consultant for Birchwood II, said such issues would be minimal.
"There's a few glues, but concentration of any bad chemicals will be very, very low," Hyfantis said.
The company also plans to implement filtration measures as well, company representatives said.
Previously, waste services company Santek operated a smaller construction and demolition landfill right next to the city landfill, but closed its doors back in the spring. With its closing, the closest landfill of this type is in Bradley County, near Exit 20 on I-75.
Commissioners have not publicly said they support or oppose the zoning request.
Commissioner Joe Graham described last week's hearing as "a fact-finding mission," a sentiment echoed by a number of his colleagues.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @pleach_tfp.