Advanced Disposal has applied for a permit (application #CP130014) to expand an already existing recycling/processing facility in south Forsyth County, GA. This expansion would involve a total build-out of a 76,550 square foot warehouse over 8+ acres that will house a garbage waste transfer station which will handle dirty municipal waste (garbage) for all of Forsyth county.

This facility is located behind Advance Auto Parts (across the street from Super Walmart off Shirley Industrial Way) and backs up to homes on Hamby Road, Thompson Road and Francis Road. This facility is located 3/4 of a mile due south from the entrance to several neighborhoods (as the crow flies). We currently have one waste transfer station off Mauldin Rd-this station is half the size of the one proposed by Advanced Disposal and does not handle dirty municipal waste (garbage) which the Advanced Disposal site will handle. There is also the potential for Advanced Disposal to further expand their operation beyond this proposed permit into the entirety of the 9 North Business Park.

Some of our concerns in allowing such an expansion include the odors associated with solid waste, the potential for groundwater contamination, an increase in vectors (rodents, insects, vultures, coyotes etc.) that may spread diseases, and other issues regarding sanitation. Zoning ordinances frequently classify transfer stations as industrial use, which limits their siting to areas zoned for industry. Exclusive use of predetermined land use criteria, however, results in locating transfer stations in areas already overburdened with industries and other transfer stations. Hwy 9 is already congested throughout the day, adding additional garbage trucks with additional routes would exacerbate an already problematic situation.

We already have one transfer station 50 yards from some neighbors' back doors with a vector overpopulation problem. The smell, noise and vultures are an everyday occurrence. It is not equitable to increase the size of another waste disposal site in such close proximity to this existing one. Overburdening a community with negative impact facilities can create health, environmental, and quality of living concerns.

This Advanced Disposal Expansion plan will  greatly diminish local residents' current quality of life, damage the infrastructure of the surrounding area and slowly strangle local businesses. Who wants to shop, dine or live in an area sandwiched between two garbage waste transfer stations littered with hundreds of garbage trucks, traffic congestion, vultures, noise pollution and atrocious smells? Imagine what it will be like to be frequently stuck behind large,smelly garbage trucks traveling up and down Highway 9 ALL DAY LONG. Most people are accustomed to seeing an occasional garbage truck-this expansion would basically put the entire fleet in our backyard.

If we as a community unite and partner with other neighborhoods and local businesses, we can prevent this expansion. Advanced Disposal will capitalize on our perceived apathy and lack of cohesion. Time is of the essence. IMAGINE 90-100 METRIC TONS OF GARBAGE LIKE THIS BEING TRUCKED IN AND OUT OF ADVANCED DISPOSAL'S HIGHWAY 9 LOCATION DAILY. If you believe in a healthy, safe and beautiful Forsyth County join us in the effort to stop this expansion and vote "NO" on the permit application.

Thank you.

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