Residents Push Back Against Proposed Clap Mill Road Landfill Near Coble Township
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Summary
Dozens of residents told Alamance County commissioners they oppose a proposed 75‑acre landfill at 4115 Clap Mill Road, citing road safety, nearby existing landfills, groundwater and air concerns; planning board asked the applicant for more information and will revisit the permit in January.
Dozens of residents from Southern Alamance urged county commissioners on Nov. 17 to deny a permit for a proposed landfill at 4115 Clap Mill Road, saying the site would concentrate a disproportionate amount of disposal facilities and threaten public safety, water quality and quality of life.
Leslie Claire, who lives on Regulator Drive, said the proposed 75‑acre facility would ‘‘triple’’ landfill acreage within a square mile and leave neighboring homes surrounded by disposal sites. ‘‘We want Southern Alamance to be known for its rural character, not as the dumping grounds for growth,’’ she said.
Matt Perpatrick, speaking for Coble Township residents, asked the county to require a major impact study on traffic and geology. He said Clap Mill Road is narrow with sharp turns and not designed for heavy truck traffic, and that neighbors have observed increased truck and incinerator activity on the parcel in recent months.
Linda Kirkpatrick, who lives near the site, highlighted safety risks on narrow curves, a widened driveway leading to a creek and soot she said had appeared on her windows after nearby burning. ‘‘We think that we are asking you all to, kinda consider the fact that we have school buses, we have people, and we have many houses that are really gonna be affected by this,’’ she told commissioners.
Not every speaker opposed the plan. Joe Snyder, an adjacent property owner, said he supports the landfill and noted that several disposal sites already operate in the area; he acknowledged concerns about dust, noise and traffic but said growth may require additional capacity.
County manager’s staff told the board the application was reviewed by the planning board on Thursday; the planning board requested additional information and will review the applicant’s response at its January meeting before forwarding a recommendation to the commissioners.
What’s next: The planning board will reconsider the application in January. Commissioners did not take a final vote on the landfill permit at the Nov. 17 meeting.
