Loganville Residents Raising Concerns About a Trash Business

A little over a year ago, Walton County residents in the Loganville area turned out in force to object to a possible trash transfer station on Highway 20. After several County Commission and planning meetings, as well as trips to the property in question and similar operations, the voted to deny the rezoning needed for the project to advance.

At that time, applicants Timmy Shelnutt and Buddy Johnson said they were disappointed with the outcome. In a story in the Walton Tribune at the time, Shelnutt said he thought it was a good location for the business. It was set back off the main highway behind . The Planning Commission approved the plan, but it was shot down by the Board of Commissioners after a study by the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission. The study concluded the proposal was inconsistent with the land use and would have a negative impact on the nearby environment.

Fast forward to 2012, and Johnson has plans for another property on Highway 20, but he said this time it is not to build a transfer station. Instead he is planning to take a foreclosed property of about 3.8 acres, at 5395 Georgia Highway 20, Loganville, and use it as an office with additional outdoor storage for equipment. This would be for his business on Rosebud Road in Gwinnett County - .

According to the application, there are no plans for a transfer station at this location. It is to be used as a company office and light maintenance on the trash haulers that will be parked there when not in use. Again, however, this plan would require a rezone from B2 to B3 (general business) and citizens plan to come out in force to object to it. West Walton citizen advocate Herman McCart said he is concerned with the number of extra vehicles that would be parked at the location as well as the potential increase in traffic congestion on Highway 20 and McCullers Road.

“Who knows what all will be done at this location; washing out the waste from the trucks, truck maintenance, fuel & oil leakage, rats, rodents, birds, etc,” McCart wrote in an newsletter circulated to drum up support for a petition objecting to the rezone. “What are the days of the week and hours of the day that the business will be operated?”

Walton County District 2 Commissioner Chuck Bagley sent out copies of the application to many residents who had raised concerns and promised to make himself available for any questions anyone might have. He can be contacted by email at chuckbagley@bellsouth.net. The application can be viewed on the BOC website and anyone interested in getting in on the petition drive can contact McCart at hvmccart@hotmail.com.

The issue goes before the Planning Commission on February 2 and the Board of Commissioners on March 6.