Foundation Park recycling center project splits planning board; rezoning and conditional‑use moves forward while comprehensive‑plan amendment draws no board‑set

The Planning & Zoning Board considered three linked applications from Foundation Park Future Investments LLC for a proposed tree and landscape recycling facility on a 36‑acre property in the Foundation Park area: a small‑scale comprehensive plan future‑land‑use map amendment (CP2400011) to change the south 15.4 acres from Low‑Density Residential to Industrial, a rezoning (CPZ24‑00007) of that same area to Light Industrial and Warehousing, and a conditional‑use application (CU24‑00008) to operate a tree and landscape recycling facility.

Why it matters: The project would consolidate industrial use on a large site near Foundation Park Boulevard SE and provide a local processing option for land‑clearing and landscape debris that proponents say reduces the need to truck material long distances or burn debris. Opponents — nearby residents who live in rural/suburban lots with private wells and woodlands — raised concerns about noise, dust, spontaneous combustion fires at similar operations, impacts to wetlands and wells, truck traffic on Babcock Street and the potential for off‑site…