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SWA directs RFP for 5.25‑acre Benoist Farms parcel and asks staff to study equestrian‑waste solutions
Summary
The Solid Waste Authority directed staff to issue an RFP and obtain a new appraisal for a 5.25‑acre parcel on Benoist Farms Road (former Cross State landfill footprint) with a board preference for uses that address solid‑waste needs; the board also asked staff to study environmental and affordable disposal options for equestrian waste.
The board directed staff to pursue potential uses for a vacant 5.25‑acre parcel on Benoist Farms Road and requested an additional staff study on equestrian waste management.
Background: The parcel is part of the former Cross State landfill property. In June 2019 the board approved a 20‑year lease to an entity identified in the record as Horizon 880 to build an equestrian waste processing facility; the lease was later assigned to High Point Agrobating. That project failed to obtain required permits and the board terminated the prior lease after a multi‑year effort. Staff told the board the authority had invested roughly $560,000 to make the property accessible, which included a cost‑share with County Road and Bridge for access improvements.
Direction given: The board voted to direct staff to obtain a new appraisal, issue an RFP for potential uses, and return proposals for board consideration. The board specified a preference for industrial or solid‑waste uses and said the board could weigh proposals that included an equestrian waste processing facility. Staff noted the property’s zoning is industrial and that additional access improvements would likely be required for any new tenant.
Equestrian waste study: Separately, commissioners requested the SWA gather information on the county’s equestrian waste — staff estimated the county faces roughly 200,000 tons per year of equestrian material and that the SWA is permit‑limited in how much it can accept at its waste‑to‑energy plant (staff noted a monthly/annual permit limit equivalent to about 50,000 tons per year). The board directed staff to coordinate expert briefings and return recommendations on environmentally and financially viable disposal or processing options. The motion to study equestrian waste and gather expert information passed (recorded as carrying 5‑0; one commissioner had stepped away).
Commissioners emphasized preferences for enclosed, non‑odorous facilities and stressed the need to protect nearby residential areas. Some members said the property could be offered first to adjacent industrial users, and staff said they would appraise and propose lease terms consistent with market value.
