Springdale dentist urges enforcement after mulch distribution operation cited at nearby office building

A Springdale dental-practice owner told City Council on April 2 that a vacant professional building at 11285 Springfield Pike is being used as a mulch distribution site, creating persistent odor, noise and frequent heavy-truck traffic that he said is disrupting patient care.

Todd Williams, who identified himself as a business owner at 11325 Springfield Pike, told council the former Maple Knoll Professional Building has been the staging point for mulch deliveries and storage for about six weeks and that the mulch piles and equipment activity have caused “the smell, sound, and it's getting a little old.” He said backup beepers, heavy equipment and trucks have shaken the building and prompted some patients to reschedule appointments.

Williams said earlier complaints to the building department produced no committed follow-up. He said Ron Volmer, the condominium association manager, contacted the department and that Tom Hall, chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals, inspected and “concurred” with Williams and suggested contacting Melissa Hayes, the chief building official. Williams said he did not receive an update from Hayes after submitting contact information and an online complaint.

City staff responded at the meeting. Mr. Yule (identified in the meeting transcript as a city staff member) said the building department is investigating and noted that the city’s regulations permit temporary mulch piles for up to 30 days. "Businesses are permitted to have mulch piles on their property for 30 days," he said, and added that inspectors have been to the site. Yule said staff had spoken with contractors onsite and that they agreed to disable backing alarms on equipment to reduce noise.

Williams told council he believes the property is zoned for office use and said operating a landscaping or mulch distribution business from that site is inconsistent with office zoning. He said the company working at the site is based in Montford Heights and has used the site to support operations in other communities in northern Hamilton County.

Mr. Yule said city staff would ensure Melissa Hayes contacts Williams “tomorrow” with an update and that inspectors will confirm how long contractors intend to remain and whether the site complies with the city's time limits for mulch storage.

Council did not take formal action at the meeting; Williams asked council to compel enforcement of zoning regulations. The transcript does not show subsequent enforcement action or a timeline for correction.