Mecklenburg planning commission approves special-exception permit for local sorting-and-recycling site

The Mecklenburg County Planning Commission voted to approve a special-exception permit for a commercial sorting-and-recycling operation proposed by Albert Dudley, owner of American Catalyst Recycling.

The permit covers the applicant’s plan to operate a hand-sorting recycling site on a parcel in Mecklenburg County zoned agricultural along the south side of Highway 58, about two miles west of its intersection with Rogers Road. Planning staff and a commissioner said the site will be required to obtain all necessary permits and to keep the site entrance onto Highway 58 clean of mud and debris.

The applicant, Albert Dudley, told the commission the company recovers nonferrous metals, wood, pallets and cardboard and has been piloting on-site recycling since September. “We’ve kept about 1,200,000 pounds out of the landfill from one job site,” Dudley said, describing sorting, hand-separation of metals and local sales of materials. He said his operation currently diverts roughly 60%–65% of inbound material by weight and that some plastics will be baled and shipped once minimum weights are met.

Resident speakers supported the proposal with conditions. Laurie Huber, who said she has decades of experience in the hazardous-waste and waste industries, urged the commission to limit activities at the site to separating and sorting and to ensure hazardous or contaminated wastes are not handled or burned. “There are some things that can get mixed in with industrial waste that are very nasty, and we’d hate to see them leaked or buried at the site,” Huber said. Dudley responded that nonrecyclable or damaged materials would be sent to the landfill and that his company already does business with the local Southside Landfill.

Commission discussion referenced neighborhood outreach and on-site visits by neighbors. One commissioner said neighbors who initially raised concerns came away “real pleased” after meeting the applicants and seeing the operation. A commissioner moved to approve the application for the public welfare, noting it would “not affect the safety of persons or neighborhood” and that the operation would reduce landfill volume by diverting recyclable material; Mr. Raymond seconded the motion. The chair called for the ayes; the motion carried.

The commission’s approval requires the owner to obtain any necessary county permits and stipulates the site must meet county commercial requirements if it expands. No detailed hours or a full enforcement schedule were included in the materials presented; Dudley said typical operating hours are in the early morning through midafternoon but also that some work can run later as needed.

The commission did not record a roll-call tally in the portion of the transcript provided; the chair announced the motion carried.