[{"_1":2,"_97":-5,"_98":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_25":26},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_27":28,"_29":30},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[31,73,85],{"_32":33,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":39,"_40":41,"_42":43,"_44":45,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},"mediaId",6272386,"mediaKeyId","3027893-12d1614413f0adfc46a0626dec8b69ac","parentId",3027893,"title","Residents urge Mobile County to deny proposed Emerald Coast C&D landfill; county to decide within 30 days","audioSeconds",3626,"startMs",4603000,"endMs",8229000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027893-12d1614413f0adfc46a0626dec8b69ac&start=4603&end=8229","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027893-12d1614413f0adfc46a0626dec8b69ac/thumbnail_4603000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6272386/Mobile-County/Alabama/Residents-urge-Mobile-County-to-deny-proposed-Emerald-Coast-CD-landfill-county-to-decide-within-30-days","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272386-2110ab0b108a1e69dcf3f3081d2b1eca/orig.mp4?Expires=1770080198&Signature=hCDXV2TpYL8JQKFbpcwIbGj0Yi1Mo2wCNObhXC4TjE6mAnQJqe5oBBItHcRRj33DfdeKutpgnO7Ov6RsWuQputgITm8oq4OqP2O6UETbRxsBEKUy3wjz1HseZx5M-XbJfaXJ-MbTjYDX4d4kofbhpW1DLBu08kOYVGcwrw2WFL6SDDbX95eZIlYAsHd4vR6jTEhIdjHKaoPTCAuvZIrWrsASMzjBH4h1II3qbdX8ECvecjc4O6VEC4mKiGjPNLOWaHIeh~MaqMmicq0TfSMDPdDV5O19O4gfem4yx3HBF2CoEX~AxVcNMNbVXLCpWdrFq6CpiM0avidG3VSnjU8PeQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Mobile County, Alabama","date","2025-04-17T00:18:12.847Z","article","Mobile County Commission held a public hearing April 14 on an application from TIGS Holdings for a proposed Emerald Coast construction-and-demolition (C&D) landfill on County Farm Road, drawing more than a dozen speakers and opposition from local environmental groups and watershed monitors.

The hearing matters because the proposed site drains to the Fowl River watershed, a spring-fed system that speakers and advocacy groups said supplies sensitive estuary habitat and recreational areas. Commissioner Jay Dewitt led the proceedings and staff said the commission must take formal action within 30 days following the public comment period.

Scott Hutchinson, an engineer with Goodwin Mills and Caywood representing the applicant, described the project as a conversion of an existing borrow pit. \"This is a c and d landfill, and it's not a household waste landfill,\" Hutchinson said. He said about 62 of the site's roughly 80 acres would be used for disposal and that, under Mobile County rules for former borrow pits, the fill would be returned to existing grades rather than built to a large above-grade mound.

Speakers opposing the proposal focused on water-quality and groundwater risks, the site's proximity to springs and headwaters, and the absence of a liner or, in the applicants' application, groundwater-monitoring wells. Ted Henken, a volunteer water-quality monitor, said he had monitored the watershed for years and wrote that he had reviewed the application \"and feel it should not get local approval.\" Kurt Wilson, who said he had reviewed the county's solid waste plan, told commissioners: \"There is no need for another landfill.\" Mobile Baykeeper, represented by Luke Kisla, urged denial and flagged the application’s omission of groundwater-monitoring data that the county’s 2015 solid waste management plan recommends.

Local residents described daily use of the river and springs and warned that any groundwater or surfacewater contamination could reach estuaries and public-access sites. Richard Becker, who said he lives on Powell River and had worked with the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program, said the watershed plan identifies sediment and upland disturbances as a major threat and that \"digging in an unlined landfill ... can disrupt natural hydrology and degrade downstream water quality.\" Several speakers noted recent heavy rainfall and asked for stronger monitoring and restrictions.

County staff explained process and oversight. Tina [last name not specified], Mobile County environmental services director, said staff will compile all written comments, the hearing transcript and a staff report and will present a recommendation to the Solid Waste Disposal Authority. That authority is scheduled to consider the application at its April 23 meeting; the commission must act within 30 days of the public hearing. Hutchinson said the applicant would comply with any county requirement for groundwater monitoring should the commission require it.

Speakers also pressed technical points. Luke Kisla said state regulators told him the county can require groundwater monitoring even if ADEM (Alabama Department of Environmental Management) does not require it everywhere. Hutchinson said ADEM generally does not require groundwater monitoring on sandy C&D sites but that the applicant would add monitoring if the county made it a condition.

No formal vote was taken at the hearing; county staff will prepare a report and forward recommendations to the Solid Waste Disposal Authority and then to the commission for final action within the statutorily required period.

Next steps: the Solid Waste Disposal Authority will meet April 23; staff said all public comments received by email and voicemail and today's transcript will be included in the record for the authority and the commission.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Mobile County Commission Meeting - April 14,, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Mobile County Commission held a public hearing April 14 on an application from TIGS Holdings for a proposed Emerald Coast construction-and-demolition (C&D) landfill on County Farm Road, drawing more than a dozen speakers and opposition from local environmental groups and watershed monitors.","taxTitle","taxId",2536,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_32":74,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":75,"_40":76,"_42":77,"_44":78,"_46":79,"_48":80,"_50":81,"_52":82,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":83,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":84,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},6272381,"Commission approves several preliminary plats after residents raise flooding, runoff and traffic concerns",699,1021000,1720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027893-12d1614413f0adfc46a0626dec8b69ac&start=1021&end=1720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027893-12d1614413f0adfc46a0626dec8b69ac/thumbnail_1021000.jpg","/articles/6272381/Mobile-County/Alabama/Commission-approves-several-preliminary-plats-after-residents-raise-flooding-runoff-and-traffic-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272381-42579bfde6f2a2c0c1bba117dfd9266d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770080198&Signature=OPWNbadxayKJFCCsXpwHczD3k7z8Ig~LT4EkeG5rdsU8Mv7KJNb2dPvnOL7d7z4Gx7G4h-~BiT0D6t~N9bO0NU~34-ZYMl~8n86Zl2l5pAtfkKWB07CYiOLnANjb~PydmAc4Y09GiOCNnhNKerBUk7j4c9fAt~u4S~rli9wV~mFqBXf2DP2Iw~KUrUo~Ye73kPmFmgTPjowUH84LCgDOxCw7iehqkLXOOd8wPQo1jU1Z7Bhp1e7-~ikx5eaZikw6DnKbDmn45VZSYoHg4JPIWLsAkP340RhLbNATj7dxjrIAFzO7xCRjSkClFyJgUMuzoD6CPfNf55v0sw6M1omYPQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mobile County Commission on April 14 approved preliminary plats for several residential subdivisions after extended public comment from nearby homeowners who say past and current development has increased flooding, siltation and traffic in the Dolls Lane / Belmont Park area. Commissioners approved the Preserve (preliminary plat only) and a slate of other plats, and they removed the Mobile Oaks Industrial Subdivision from today’s vote to allow staff to resolve a resident’s easement question.

Residents said recent subdivision construction has increased erosion, sent silt into private lakes and damaged a dam that had previously required expensive repairs. Toby Bruette (identified in public comment as a long-time resident) told commissioners: \"I know the development's gonna happen, but I'm asking you to require these developers to control their runoff.\" John Kelly, a neighbor, said the county had limited authority but asked for help in enforcing construction controls and permitting. Multiple speakers cited an 11-inch rainfall event in the prior weeks and described visible red clay and silt reaching private lakes and downstream waterways.

Commissioner Jay Dewitt acknowledged those concerns and described limits on commission authority in a county without home-rule zoning: \"We live in a county that has no home rule and has no zoning,\" he said during the discussion, and he asked the county attorney to research whether a temporary moratorium on subdivisions is legally feasible. Dewitt proposed a parallel approach: gather a stormwater-runoff study for affected areas and ensure infrastructure, schools and emergency services can handle continued growth before approving widespread new development.

County staff and the developer’s engineer described the technical review and safeguards required by county subdivision regulations. Tim Lawley of Sawgrass Engineering, speaking for the developer Lennar Homes, said the plans show drainage routed through detention areas and a closed system discharging to Dawes Lane extension and that \"there is a statement in the report that says that the design ... is not going to negatively impact any downstream properties.\" Lawley told residents that the engineer of record must certify the drainage report and that the county verifies that necessary state and federal permits have been or will be obtained prior to final approvals.

Residents asked what recourse they would have if construction did not follow approved plans. Lawley and staff recommended documenting existing conditions, submitting complaints to county staff and, if necessary, filing ADEM complaints. Staff said limited county inspections occur and the county can issue stop-work orders if conditions violate permit standards; post-construction maintenance of detention facilities often becomes the responsibility of a homeowners association under recorded covenants.

After the hearing, the commission voted to approve the preliminary plat of the Preserve (and preliminary plat of Imperial Estates) and to approve a group of preliminary-and-final plats listed on the agenda, but commissioners agreed to strike and table the Mobile Oaks Industrial Subdivision (two lots on U.S. Highway 90) from today's vote to confirm that a resident's purchased easement would not be affected.

Commissioner Dewitt said staff will continue to work with residents and legal counsel and asked neighborhood leaders to form a coalition to stay in touch. He also requested that county attorneys report back on whether a moratorium or other legal tools might be used to manage the pace and impacts of subdivision development.

The action on preliminary plats does not guarantee final approvals; plats that advance to final status must meet all recorded conditions, permits and engineer certifications before building permits are issued.","The Mobile County Commission on April 14 approved preliminary plats for several subdivisions after residents near Dolls Lane and Fowl River raised flooding, siltation and traffic concerns.",{"_32":86,"_34":35,"_36":37,"_38":87,"_40":88,"_42":89,"_44":90,"_46":91,"_48":92,"_50":93,"_52":94,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":95,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":96,"_66":55,"_67":68,"_69":55,"_70":71,"_72":71},6272376,"Mobile County Commission approves consent agenda, grants and bids; appoints boards; tables one subdivision",1338,9110000,10448000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3027893-12d1614413f0adfc46a0626dec8b69ac&start=9110&end=10448","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3027893-12d1614413f0adfc46a0626dec8b69ac/thumbnail_9110000.jpg","/articles/6272376/Mobile-County/Alabama/Mobile-County-Commission-approves-consent-agenda-grants-and-bids-appoints-boards-tables-one-subdivision","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6272376-cf1c98c9e5b1f33aeb011d2ee62039f3/orig.mp4?Expires=1770080198&Signature=e6F2R4OMX~r8c1ef7Kxgrr~ofphY6H7R1vAPBzcsrd6BWHCHv68P22Oa9rWNaMwk6~og3arIVfwsIQmnh1ek6o8pYW912xUCTK5xgepkqF3KWXJ~Z~4lzw6ptvcT6HXYXMv0xpLpHXW2fm9CcpIZQJGoEkOrLRfD90btDRU8K2kmn0un~fKhu8Orc5CE9vs7lKSX-2ZzV~Z6iGyG86Y6ZaIusiHOsUPK1npQPexFLTnncnVe947cQV0BnxhGa64adwWmW4dnmqDPG1M4E2nwF8v6O9m~XgPLpQ3CqDnOydb5NFD7m~4ODeW99MOhdI1rKiVMnr3-OZsETbC1MpE5tw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mobile County Commission on April 14 approved a large consent agenda and a series of motions that covered appropriations, leasing, appointments and construction bids. Commissioners also approved several preliminary development plats (see separate coverage) and removed one subdivision from today's vote for additional staff review.

Key items approved during the meeting included:

- Appropriation contracts and small sponsorships: a $3,000 appropriation contract with Azalea City Community Development Corporation; a $1,000 sponsorship agreement with InspireU for the Sisters for Life Health and Wellness Expo; a $2,000 sponsorship for Assistance League Mobile and a $10,000 appropriation for the Clotilda Descendants Association landing event (amounts and recipients as listed on the agenda).

- Board appointments: reappointment of Pebbles King to the Mobile County Housing Authority board (five-year term); reappointment of Jack Tillman to the Mobile Sports Authority board (three-year term); appointment of Carla Dupreece to the Solid Waste Disposal Authority board (four-year term); reappointments to the Cindy Haber Center board.

- Contracts, bids and capital projects: award of resurfacing bid for Scotbury Loop Road South to APAC Alabama ($730,076.18); award to C Thornton for Gulfcrest Road bridial rehabilitation (low bid $38,410); award and change orders for projects including the Sportsplex restrooms and Government Plaza upgrades as listed on the agenda. The commission also approved a bid award and authorized contract adjustments for projects including the Mobile County Sportsplex Phase 2 restroom and concession facility and authorized advertising for Bayfront Park boardwalk installation bids.

- Leases: the commission approved nominal-rent lease agreements for several local nonprofits to occupy office space at the Bayhays Building, including Groundworks Mobile County, Keep Mobile Beautiful and Mobile Area Interfaith Conference.

- Other actions: a donation of property near Africatown to the Africatown Hall and Food Bank; a $11,000 engineering report donation for a pier at Battleship Memorial Park; multiple right-of-way agreements and road project authorizations.

One item was removed from today's approval list at a commissioner request: the preliminary-and-final plat of the Mobile Oaks Industrial Subdivision (two lots on U.S. Highway 90) was tabled so staff could confirm that a resident's purchased easement would not be affected.

The meeting included the earlier public hearing on the Emerald Coast C&D landfill; no vote was taken on that application at this session and the commission must act within 30 days.

Votes on routine motions reported in the meeting transcript were presented as standard \"so moved / second\" procedural votes; the agenda recorded approvals for the items listed above.","The Mobile County Commission on April 14 approved a broad consent agenda including contracts, appropriations and bids, reappointed and appointed board members, and awarded multiple construction and procurement contracts. Commissioners also approved several planning plats and tabled the Mobile Oaks Industrial Subdivision pending an easement check.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge Mobile County to deny proposed Emerald Coast C&D landfill; county to decide within 30 days

Commission approves several preliminary plats after residents raise flooding, runoff and traffic concerns

Mobile County Commission approves consent agenda, grants and bids; appoints boards; tables one subdivision