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Montreat staff proposes stricter trash ordinance requiring bear-resistant containers and clearer recycling rules
Summary
Council reviewed a draft ordinance that would require permanent or approved bear-resistant containers, set limits on yard waste and leaf collections, clarify recycling separation, and impose a graduated civil-penalty schedule; staff will return revised language addressing several drafting and enforcement questions.
Savannah, a town staff member, presented revisions to Montreat's solid-waste ordinance that would require permanent bear-resistant containers or approved enclosure systems, clarify yard-waste and recycling rules, and add a graduated penalty schedule.
The proposed changes would require "permanent bear resistant containers and enclosure systems" to receive prior approval by the town manager or designee and meet construction standards to ensure durability and anchoring, Savannah said. "If waste is scattered due to noncompliance, the town may clean up the debris inside the property owner who may be required to purchase another approved bear resistant container," she added.
Why it matters: Council members said the changes aim to reduce bear attractants citywide and protect public safety while preserving options for residents with effective existing systems. The draft sets yard-waste limits (3 cubic yards per pickup; brush pieces restricted to 6-foot length) and requires leaves to be bagged in biodegradable paper bags with a limit of 10 bags or 2 cubic yards per collection; excess collections would be available for a fee.
Council members also pressed staff to clarify curbside recycling language. One commissioner asked how residents should handle flattened cardboard and whether recyclables must be unbagged at the curb. Savannah said the ordinance intends separate containers for recycling versus trash and that staff will revise wording: "Our hope is to eventually use a truck with maybe an arm to help pick some of the trash up so that whoever's doing the trash doesn't have to handle it 2 or 3 times," she said.
On enforcement, staff proposed assigning authority to the town manager (or designee) and a civil penalty schedule of $100 for a first offense, $200 for a second and $400 for a third or subsequent offense, with possible suspension of services and cleanup-cost recovery. Several council members urged changing the enforcement standard from only "willful or reckless" conduct to include a negligence standard so ordinary failures to secure attractants could be penalized. One council member said negligence better reflects the public-safety stakes: "Every reasonable person should know the way you put your trash out and keep it is important," the member said.
What the council asked staff to do next: Commissioners asked for clearer definitions (yard waste, white goods), to change "town administrator" to "town manager" where needed, and to tighten language about recycling separation and acceptable container types. Staff agreed to return revised ordinance text, research collection and container procurement options, and provide options for subsidized or installment purchases of bear-resistant containers for low-income residents.
The council did not take a final vote on the ordinance at this meeting; staff will bring revised language back for further consideration.
