Planning commission clears Rathland Soils compost facility at 7450 Terminal Drive

The Lorain Planning Commission approved a final development plan for a composting facility proposed by Rathland Soils LLC at 7450 Terminal Drive.

Jim Cohen, who represented Rathland Soils at the meeting, described plans for a concrete‑paved composting operation that will bag blended product for sale and employ local staff. “We expect it to be a pretty, sustainable, facility,” Jim Cohen said, noting experience in the industry and plans to bring on additional staff.

Commission discussion referenced earlier controversy when the county transferred the land to Shane Donnelly of Rathland Soils and said Donnelly had met with city council members and made presentations that helped change some councilors’ initial objections. “Council seemed to be very receptive to this project,” the presiding commissioner said during the meeting.

Staff raised several zoning items to be addressed during administrative review. Evelyse, a planning staff member, said she had provided a written recommendation and that spacing and parking questions and other zoning concerns would be handled when the applicant submits permit applications. “These are items that can be addressed during the administrative review,” she said.

The applicant was granted final development plan approval by voice vote. The law department and other city departments were thanked during discussion for their guidance on legal compliance; no public commenters registered opposition at the meeting.

Next steps include the applicant’s submission of permit applications and staff review of the zoning items Evelyse identified. The applicant acknowledged that the owner, Shane Donnelly, was not present at the meeting but had engaged council previously on the proposal.