Yard waste composting facilities, those that manage the biological decomposition of organic matter under controlled, aerobic conditions, may be permitted in certain districts specified in this chapter, subject to the standards of this chapter and the following special standards.
(A) Site location and design.
(1) Because of the level of truck traffic associated with this use, all such uses shall be located on a paved public road capable of carrying Class A loadings, as defined by the County Weighmaster, on a year-round basis.
(2) Dust shall be controlled on all internal roads and operation areas at all times.
(3) The site shall be level and well-drained.
(4) If the site abuts property shown as residential on the zoning map or Master Plan, a buffer zone shall be maintained where no composting, storage, transfer or loading activities will take place equal to 500 feet from existing residences and 50 feet from adjoining property lines. All buffer areas shall be maintained as vegetative strips to facilitate the filtration of pollutants from stormwater runoff.
(5) All site access roads or drives and all areas for employee parking shall be paved with asphalt or concrete. Internal haul roads may be unpaved.
(6) The portion of the compost site visible from a public street shall be screened from public view by a combination berm/landscaped buffer or other method approved by the Planning Commission.
(7) Adequate parking shall be provided for all employees and visitors. A minimum of four paved, off-street parking spaces shall be provided on-site.
(8) In order to contain windblown debris, chain link fencing shall be installed and maintained around all areas of the site which are utilized in any phase of the composting process in which bags or portions of bags are present. The Planning Commission shall determine the appropriate location and height of required fencing during site plan review after consideration of the site characteristics, proposed design, adjacent land uses, and prevailing wind patterns.
(B) Operation.
(1) Access to the site shall be controlled to prevent unauthorized dumping during non-business hours. The operator shall establish a procedure and mechanism for proper disposal of non-yard wastes at an approved sanitary landfill.
(2) Only yard wastes shall be composted at such facilities, typically including leaves, grass clippings, brush and tree or shrub trimmings. All yard waste must be brought to the site loose or in biodegradable bags with a cornstarch or similar base designed to degrade rapidly under aerobic conditions. All bags brought to the site shall be broken up and turned into compost windrows within five days of delivery to the site. In no instance shall non-degradable plastic bags be placed into the windrows.
(3) The decomposition process shall be properly managed and maintained in the aerobic condition to prevent all unnecessary odors. Towards this end, the temperature of compost piles shall be monitored regularly, and all compost piles shall be turned when the internal temperature drops below 120°F.
(4) Ponded water shall not be permitted to collect on a yard waste composting site. An engineering plan for collection, retention and drainage of stormwater shall be provided for review and approval. Vegetation filtration of runoff prior to discharge off-site shall be accomplished by use of a 50-foot wide (minimum) perimeter strip/swale of grass, or similar measure. Any direct discharge to a water body may require a State Department of Natural Resources permit.
(5) The operator shall provide sufficient equipment to properly manage the composting process. As a minimum, this shall include a front end loader or similar machinery for loading and unloading; a window machine for turning and aeration operations; a shredder for reducing new material to a smaller particle size for faster decomposition; a source of water or watering trucks for dust control and proper moisture content in windrows; and a screen to improve the quality and marketability of the final product.
(6) The volume of yard wastes handled by the facility shall not exceed 7,000 cubic yards of incoming yard wastes per acre of active composting area on-site, exclusive of access roads, service areas, parking areas, required buffer zones and similar areas.
(7) The operator shall provide a name, address and phone number of the person responsible for operation of the site and who is also responsible for correcting all operational problems that may result in complaints being made to the township.
(8) Treated yard wastes shall be actively rotated in an aerobic condition. Wastes shall not be allowed to accumulate for longer than three years before being finished and removed from the site.
(9) The operator shall provide plans showing all equipment maintenance and storage areas. Plans shall show the location of all fuel storage areas. Plans shall show the location of all fuel storage facilities and shall detail primary and secondary containment of all hazardous materials, including product-tight containers for primary containment. Secondary containment facilities shall be adequate to accept the full volume of the hazardous materials stored in the primary container, in the event of a leak or spill.
(10) The applicant shall provide a plan for the removal of unmarketable compost.
(11) An annual inspection/permit fee for all yard waste composting facilities established by resolution of the Township Board, shall be paid by the owner of the facility.
(12) Copies of all State Department of Natural Resources applications/permits, if required, shall be provided to the Planning Commission as part of the application package.
(13) The use must conform with the performance standards in § 153.172.
(14) The operator shall provide surety in the form of cash, irrevocable letter of credit or other surety acceptable to the Township Board to guarantee performance as required by this chapter and provide for restoration of the site upon default of the operator. The amount of the bond shall be set from time to time by resolution of the Township Board on a per acre basis.
(15) The operator understands and agrees that failure to maintain and operate the site in a responsible manner that minimizes the potential for adverse impacts on neighboring properties shall constitute grounds for enforcement action by the Township Board.
(C) Additional requirements. In addition to the requirements set forth in this section, all yard waste composting facilities shall meet the requirements of § 11521 of part 115 of the State Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, Public Act 451 of 1994, being M.C.L.A. §§ 324.101 et seq.
(Ord. passed 10-11-2000; Ord. 27, passed 12-15-2010) Penalty, see § 153.999