Decatur County BZA approves 25-foot setback variance for landfill energy facility

The Decatur County Board of Zoning Appeals on Feb. 5 approved a variance reducing the required road setback from 100 feet to 75 feet for a landfill gas‑to‑energy installation at Decatur Hills Landfill.

The variance was requested by 600 Land, Inc.; Kurt Pablo, representing the property owner, said the project developer is WAGA Energy. Laura (last name not specified), identified as a project manager for WAGA Energy, described the proposed layout, equipment and safety screening and said the facility would operate 24/7.

The change would move the permitted fenced area and the electrical room closer to the county road so the developer can avoid regrading an existing detention basin on the landfill. Laura said the closest residence is just west of an existing shed near the site; board discussion noted that distance as roughly 125 feet from the road. The company provided photos and a plot plan showing the electrical room, vessels on concrete pads and an equipment container that houses two compressors; WAGA Energy noted compressors and a thermal oxidizer or flare are the main noise sources.

WAGA Energy shared a noise estimate from a similar operating site: about 40 decibels at 1,000 feet and just over 50 decibels at 75 feet. The project manager said the compressors are inside containers that reduce noise. Board members and the applicant discussed existing vegetative screening: evergreen trees are planted inside the fence row and the conditional‑use approval carries a five‑year review cycle that allows neighbors to raise concerns at renewal.

Board members asked whether the reduced setback would require clearing the vegetative buffer; the applicant said there was no intent to remove the existing screening. The applicant said positioning the fenced facility in line with an existing shed would lessen grading and visual disruption.

After questions from members, the board voted to approve BZA petition 2025‑1, granting the setback variance. The applicant was advised to coordinate ongoing project details with the BZA office as construction proceeds.

Votes at a glance

- Election of 2025 officers: The board elected Rick Hoing as president (nominated by Paul Stone, seconded by Joyce Brinley), Scott Smith as vice president (nominated by Joyce Brinley), and Janie Livingston as secretary (nominated by Joyce Brinley, seconded by Rick Cowen). All officer nominations were approved by voice vote.

- Approval of minutes: Minutes for prior meetings (September and Dec. 4, 2024) were approved by voice vote.

- BZA petition 2025‑1 (600 Land, Inc. / WAGA Energy): Motion to approve the setback variance passed. Board members recorded in the roll call included Janie Livingston (yes), Rick Hoing (yes), Joyce Brinley (yes) and Paul Stone (yes).

Other business

The board noted BZA petition 2024‑8 (COB Solar) remains continued to the March 5 meeting. The chair closed the meeting following the continued‑item announcement.

Sources: Meeting transcript of the Feb. 5, 2025 Decatur County Board of Zoning Appeals; presenter handouts referenced at the meeting.