Council gives first reading to special-use permit for pallet recycling facility at 201 S. Cedar, conditions set after neighbors raised fire and dust concerns

Valley Center — The City Council approved first reading of an ordinance to issue a special-use permit for a pallet recycling facility at 201 South Cedar, but attached conditions and a closely worded timeline after nearby residents and staff raised safety and nuisance concerns.

Zoning staff summarized inspections and outreach City zoning staff told the council that inspectors first became aware of operations at the former Martin Solvents building earlier this summer. Inspectors and fire officials reported multiple compliance items: substantial outdoor pallet piles, partial use of the property outside the building while electrical and fire-suppression work were pending, portable buildings placed on-site that require anchoring, and an incomplete sprinkler system that staff said must be expanded to cover the entire structure because of the planned indoor activities.

Staff recommended approval of a special-use permit only after the facility comes into compliance with building, fire and zoning codes and with ongoing quarterly fire-department compliance inspections. Staff also proposed that the business notify the zoning administrator if ownership changes so the city can ensure any new owner also meets the permit conditions.

Neighbors raised dust and fire-safety concerns Neighbors who spoke at the hearing said dust and sawdust had landed on vehicles and porches, and expressed concern that large outdoor piles of pallets and mulch posed a fire risk. Zoning staff said the week notices went out for the public hearing a malfunction at an adjacent business’s dust-collection system caused dust to settle in the neighborhood; staff said they had not received complaints since that event and believed the neighboring plant’s collection system had been repaired. Still, residents and some council members pressed the city to obtain outside agency review for health and environmental issues.

Owner says cleanup and safety work are underway Howard Hancock, who identified himself as a part owner and operator of the facility, told the council the company has engaged a fire-protection contractor and an architect, submitted electrical plans for review, and hired an industrial grinder to mulch a large pallet pile so it can be hauled off. Hancock said work was underway and that he expects the remaining visible mulch piles to be mulched and removed within days (he told the council he expected haul-off to begin the next day and aimed to complete removal by the end of the week). Hancock also invited KDHE to inspect and said he welcomed outside review.

Council conditions and next steps Council approved the ordinance’s first reading with explicit conditions: the special-use permit would not be issued until the facility demonstrates compliance with all applicable building, fire and zoning regulations; the fire department must conduct quarterly compliance inspections; and the business must notify the zoning administrator if ownership changes. At the meeting staff agreed to provide a timeline of required corrections to council for the second reading and to contact the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) at council request to document any health-related concerns.

Outcome The council passed first reading of Ordinance 1434-25 to issue a special-use permit for pallet recycling at 201 S. Cedar subject to the conditions above. The ordinance will return for a second reading; staff committed to providing a compliance timeline and to documenting KDHE communications before that vote.

Provenance topicintro: “Back in roughly May, city staff had noticed that, Alex has started arriving at that facility.”

topicfinish: “Move to approve for first reading ordinance 14 34 dash 25 ... contingent upon the facility coming into compliance with building, fire, and zoning regulations and codes ... Motion carried.”