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Lakeville council approves Dakota Waste composting PUD after odor-control discussion
Summary
The council approved a PUD and rezoning for a 37-acre Dakota Waste in-vessel composting facility at 215th and Caparia, with applicants and staff saying the MPCA permitting process and PUD performance standards will guide odor controls and operational limits.
The Lakeville City Council on Dec. 15 approved a preliminary plat, rezoning from I-1 (light industrial) to Planned Unit Development (PUD) and a PUD ordinance for a proposed Dakota Waste source-separated organics processing facility, after the developer described in-vessel composting, negative-pressure buildings and filtration intended to control odor.
Mike Brandt, representing Dakota Waste Solutions and the Dunham family, said the 37-acre site at the southeast corner of 215th and Caparia would include two wood-processing hoop buildings, an in-vessel composting building, a processing building, covered storage areas and truck scales. Brandt described a largely commercial operation that would accept source-separated organics (fruit, vegetables, packaged foods), yard waste and a limited percentage of cooked meats or dairy in defined mixes. "Dairy, cheese, and bread products will be limited to only 5% by weight max," he said, and "cooked meats ... only about 5% of total food waste will be meat." He said manure could be present up to about 20% by weight in some mixes.
Brandt emphasized the use of covered, negative-pressure in-vessel systems and biofilters to reduce odors and claimed the MPCA (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency) favors these processes. "That's why we're doing it," he said, arguing the approach reduces odor calls and varmints associated with open composting piles.
Community Development Director Tina Goodrod explained that the council was approving a preliminary plat, rezoning and a PUD ordinance that sets performance standards (hours of operation, odor control, trailer parking, reporting requirements) and requires a later final PUD plan and development contract for final building approvals. She said the Planning Commission held a public hearing on Dec. 4, received no public comment and unanimously recommended approval.
Councilmembers asked how odor would be regulated; Brandt said mitigation could include increased wood chips, upgraded filtration (charcoal before biofilters) and operational adjustments, and that the MPCA permit and the nuisance provisions of city code would provide enforcement mechanisms. "If it is a nuisance, then, yes, there are corrective actions to be taken with it," Brandt said.
Councilmember Birnbaum moved to approve the preliminary plat, rezoning and PUD ordinance; the motion was seconded and roll-call votes recorded ayes from listed members. The resolution passed.
The PUD approval allows the project to proceed to the final PUD and development-contract stage, where staff and the council will review final building elevations, construction materials and any additional performance conditions required by city code or state permits.
