A proposed tire landfill near Cleveland, Alabama, is reigniting public debate as residents voice concerns during a recent hearing. The hearing, held at B & B Tire Landfill’s current location in Hayden, addressed the company’s plan to expand operations to a property off Hazelrig Road. This marks the company’s third application since 2018, with previous attempts facing significant opposition from the community.
Local residents, like Diane Jackson, expressed worries about increased traffic and its impact on the area. “That road and that area is just not conducive to that traffic and that amount of traffic to be on those roads,” she said. Others raised concerns about declining property values and potential environmental harm.
Blount County Commissioner Allen Armstrong supports the expansion, citing economic benefits. He noted that the current landfill generates approximately $88,000 annually for local fire departments, funding their liability insurance. Armstrong also mentioned the possibility of widening Hazelrig Road to accommodate truck traffic, a move previously made for other economic projects. “We like to let people do what they kind of want to with their land as long as it’s legal and not something devastating for property owners,” he added.
Bud Adams, owner of B & B Tire Landfill, stressed the necessity of the expansion to sustain his business and retain jobs. However, he warned that if the application is denied, he might repurpose the land for FEMA debris storage, which does not require permits.
The proposal still requires approval from multiple entities, including the County Commission, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and a circuit judge. A public comment session is scheduled for next month before the Blount County Commission.
— News Original —
Will the proposed landfill in Cleveland bring economic growth or environmental harm?
BLOUNT COUNTY, Ala. — A proposed tire landfill near the Cleveland community is once again under scrutiny as the public had the opportunity to voice their opinions at the first hearing under a new application. The hearing was held at B & B Tire Landfill’s current location in Hayden, which is nearing capacity and closure. The company aims to expand to a property off Hazelrig Road, a plan that has long raised concerns among local residents.
Diane Jackson, a concerned resident, said, “That road and that area is just not conducive to that traffic and that amount of traffic to be on those roads.”
Residents also expressed concerns about property values and environmental impacts.
This marks B & B’s third application since 2018. Blount County Commissioner Allen Armstrong supports the plan and is open to the county considering the expansion of Hazelrig Road to accommodate the truck traffic. Armstrong said, “We have talked about making it wider. We typically have done that for a few Dollar Generals and some other things of economic impact, and this is economic impact to the county. Fire departments rely on this money for their liability insurance that they have to carry.”
The Hayden landfill has previously generated around $88,000 annually to support local fire departments. Bud Adams, owner of B & B Tire Landfill, emphasized the necessity of the expansion for his business. “We got a good bunch of people working and I’d like to see them keep their jobs,” Adams said.
The Hazelrig Road property includes an abandoned strip pit and is not subject to zoning regulations. Armstrong added, “We like to let people do what they kind of want to with their land as long as it’s legal and not something devastating for property owners and I don’t feel like this is.”
Adams mentioned that if the application is denied again, he is considering an alternative use for the land. “If they kick the permit out, I’ll just turn it over to FEMA to fill it up with debris because FEMA doesn’t have to have a permit, they don’t have to ask anybody,” Adams said.
The application still requires approval from the County Commission, the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, and a circuit judge. A public comment session is scheduled for next month before the Blount County Commission.
— news from WBMA