CUP Approved For Bulk Waste Services

By Naomi Hatch
   Bulk Waste Services, LLC has had a trucking operation in Taylor since March 2008 with no complaints. When a request was made to allow use of a portable container as an office, Zoning Administrator Jeff Johnson realized that this had gone before the Taylor Planning and Zoning Commission on March 18, 2008, but had not been approved by the town council, so the firm was on the council’s agenda last week for approval of a conditional use permit.
   During the public hearing, Belle Whipple, who lives near the business, asked where it was located and if there would be waste left on the site.
   Martin Merrill, owner of the firm, noted that it is a trucking company, and the property will be used basically for truck and container parking. He noted that at the present time there are three 40-yard rolloffs full of scrap steel on site, as he is waiting for the price to go up before he takes them to Phoenix. He said he would not have waste or trash on the property, but if there is any wet waste it will be tarped. He added, “There never will be any stick.” noting it is construction material.
   Gary Solomon said, “I’m very business oriented,” noting that he owns a small trucking company, and expressed concern about dust control. He asked the council members to address the dust, which they did later in the meeting.
   Johnson noted this property is zoned commercial and briefly explained the ordinance. He said that the road has cinders, and added that the firm has been operating for close to a year with no complaints.
   Mayor John Cole asked if there were plans to put in a privacy fence, which was a condition stipulated by the planning and zoning commission. Martin said he plans to do so.
   Councilwoman Debbie Tuckfield questioned the method for checking on dust control, and Johnson explained that they are now computerized and he checks conditional use permits annually.
   Tuckfield expressed concern that they are consistent with containers throughout town, commenting that there are trucks parked in town that are in violation.
   Town Attorney Sterling Solomon explained that the ordinance states residents are not to have any items on their property improperly stored, which is part of the slum and blight ordinance.
   The mayor expressed concern because the original request for a conditional use permit stated, “Bulk Waste Services was considering construction for recycling and storage, but decided against building at the time.”
   Martin responded that he did not have plans at this time to put in a recycling and storage business because of the economy.
   The council approved the conditional use permit with the following conditions: a limitation of no more than 12 commercial trucks on the premises at any time; a privacy fence must be constructed within six months; overnight storage will be limited to dry construction waste only and tarped for a maximum of five days; and non-operational vehicles cannot be on the premises for more than 60 days.