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Council hears update on potential landfill sale and zoning questions tied to 'Jackson law'
Summary
Gary Hendricks told council that potential purchasers have shown interest in the Loudoun landfill but "there's been no proposal"; he said any sale would require approval by three governing bodies and noted recent mitigation steps to reduce mud on Highway 72.
Loudoun City — At the February city council meeting, Gary Hendricks, a member of the solid-waste disposal commission, briefed council on rumors and recent activity related to the municipal landfill.
Hendricks told council that interested buyers have contacted the city but that "there's been no proposal" and emphasized any sale would require approval from three governing bodies — the city, the neighboring jurisdiction and the county commission — before a transaction could proceed. "If they submit one it will first come to the city to you guys," Hendricks said.
Council members raised zoning questions tied to what was repeatedly described in the meeting as the "Jackson law," which the county has already adopted. Hendricks and council discussed whether the city should consider adopting that same local legislation; one council member said adopting the Jackson law could give the city authority to limit landfill expansions within or near its corporate boundary and to place stipulations, such as restricting the landfill to accept only county garbage and not materials from outside the county.
Hendricks also addressed resident complaints about mud on Highway 72. He said the landfill operator had recently implemented several measures intended to reduce the problem, including paving about 1,000 feet from the weigh scales up the hill, installing three catch basins, adding speed bumps, and continuing to operate a wheel wash. "They have paved, now 1000 feet of pavement from the waist scales up the hill," Hendricks said, and noted additional work is planned as weather permits.
Hendricks warned council that any sale or rezoning would be a long-term process involving attorney review and possible amendments that would need approval from the other two governing bodies. He urged transparency and to share information publicly so residents are not left to rely on rumors.
The update was informational; no formal action occurred during the meeting on the landfill sale or Jackson-law adoption. Council asked staff and the city attorney to research the matter and report back at future meetings.
