Council approves revised Timber Creek Recycling transition plan, sets June 30, 2027 cessation date

Meridian—s City Council approved an amended development agreement and a transition plan for Timber Creek Recycling on Dec. 17, 2024, directing the company to phase down operations at its Meridian facility and cease operations on the site by June 30, 2027.

Background and action: the council continued a public hearing from Nov. 12 to receive a modified development agreement and an updated phase transition plan. The applicant, Caleb Blakey of Timber Creek Recycling, told the council the company had revised its development agreement to shorten and clarify timelines and to add a materials list and a requirement to post signage on public streets notifying the public when operations will cease. The city attorney—s office provided draft findings for approval; the public hearing accepted testimony limited to the new information.

Key transition commitments by the applicant: Timber Creek said it had already diverted 2,200 tons (about 47.8% of that feedstock) of cheese whey sludge ("WAS"/waste-activated sludge) to its Nampa facility and committed to reach 50% diversion before the end of the next year; the company pledged to stop accepting concrete, tile, porcelain and asphalt as of Nov. 1 and provided documentation of that change. Timber Creek also reported purchasing a smaller compost turner, engaging with Sorrento (a nearby cheese plant) to add lime to reduce odors, and preparing a DEQ-required closure plan to be finalized within the regulatory window ahead of site vacation. Timber Creek reported 16 internal documented odor inspections since the prior hearing.

Enforcement and verification: Meridian code enforcement reported on Dec. 12 that the company met the phase-1 goal of diverting weekend deliveries to the Nampa site and that no concrete or asphalt deliveries were received during the period staff inspected. Code enforcement said the transition plan provides tangible checkpoints and tracking mechanisms that would allow the city to monitor compliance; without the negotiated transition plan the city would rely on nuisance enforcement authority.

Public concerns and response: neighbors and nearby developers urged a quicker timeline; some speakers said they did not trust prior assurances. The applicant and several council members emphasized the operational limits posed by weather and seasonality and said the June 30, 2027 date reflected a compromise that allowed the company time to move operations and for infrastructural adjustments while providing residents with an enforceable, shorter runway than the original DA.

Council vote: Councilman Overton moved approval; the council voted 5-1 to approve the amended development agreement and transition plan as presented (vote recorded in transcript as five ayes and one nay). Council members supporting the motion said the approved plan represented a good-faith compromise balancing the business—s operational constraints and the community—s interest in ending the facility—s operations in Meridian sooner than the original agreement allowed.

What happens next: the city attorney prepared draft findings for recordation and planned to finalize findings at the next council meeting (Jan. 7). Code enforcement will continue scheduled inspections and document compliance with the agreement—s phase milestones.

Sources: Meridian City Council hearing, Dec. 17, 2024; testimony by Caleb Blakey (Timber Creek Recycling); Meridian code enforcement report on Dec. 12, 2024; public comments at the hearing.