Southwest LV residents lose battle over transfer stations

Residents in southwest Clark County lost a battle Wednesday to limit controversial transfer stations to property zoned for heavy industrial use.

Despite testimony from people who have previously warded off transfer stations in their neighborhoods with boisterous protests, the County Commission voted unanimously to allow the facilities in light industrial zones.

The question debated was whether the zone change was beneficial to Republic Silver State Inc. or to residents near potential sites.

Residents argued that if transfer stations -- facilities that collect and compact garbage before it is hauled to the landfill -- are allowed in light industrial zones, they will surely be built near homes.

They said because Silver State would simply need a use permit rather than a zone change, the process will be much simpler and fewer people have to be notified of public hearings.

"Transferring them out of M-2 (heavy industrial) into M-1 (light industrial) makes it a lot easier for them to pass it by," said Blue Diamond resident Richard Swearingen. "It takes away the fight people would have."

County officials say there are few uses for the heavy industrial zoning; mostly plants with smokestacks are suited for the designation.

Facilities, like transfer stations, that will be allowed in light industrial areas will have more stringent requirements placed upon them.

Lesa Coder, assistant director of current planning, said when transfer stations are issued use permits to operate in heavy industrial areas, operators are not required to landscape or install devices that reduce odors.

"The mitigation measures for transfer stations in M1 are more restrictive than even today as they sit in M2," Coder said. "It's real important for people to understand this is more restrictive than it was before."

Attorney John Moran Jr., who represents Silver State, confirmed conditions included in the light industrial zone have never before been placed on transfer stations.

He said they must be in an enclosed building and the parcel must be at least 10 acres, buildings must be 400 feet from homes, there must be a landscape buffer and the facility has to provide its own access road.

The entire facility must be walled, refuse can stay no longer than 24 hours and efficient odor-fighting devices must be installed.

"These are conditions and requirements designed for protection of the community," said Moran, who wondered why residents would oppose the zone change.

Still, opponents were skeptical.

"Just because the enemy walks up and tells you what his weaknesses are, does that mean you're going to win the fight? No," Swearingen said. "They're up to something."

Commissioners emphasized that residents will continue to have the opportunity to oppose transfer stations during public hearings for use permits.

Commissioner Myrna Williams said a use permit is better than a zone change because the latter is permanent. Once a use permit expires, it must be renewed.

Last month, the county changed a parcel of Sloan property from rural to light industrial per a request submitted by Silver State. The disposal company said they simply wanted a zone change, not permission to build a transfer station.

Sloan residents are awaiting Silver State's return to the board sometime after Jan. 20, when the new ordinances goes into effect, to submit plans for a transfer station.

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