Board approves recycling-only wood-grinding operation on Logansport Road

The Miami County Board of Zoning Appeals on March 11 approved VAR #136-26, allowing a recycling-only operation that will grind wood pallets and other wood waste into animal bedding and mulch at 3445 & 3487 W Logansport Rd. in Peru Township.

Applicant Delroy L. Quinn told the board “there would be a grinder to grind up the wood pallets and other wood material into animal bedding and mulch.” He said the grinder has not yet been purchased and the project is awaiting Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) approval. Quinn said the business’s goal is to begin operations “by the middle of the summer” and estimated serving roughly 30 to 40 customers per week while operating five to six days, including Saturdays. Quinn also said pallets would be stored outside and that a magnetic element would be used to catch nails and metal during processing.

Planning office staff member Corey Roser told the board that “the use fits the district,” while also noting the office recommended some restrictions; staff described certain Special Exception restrictions as extreme but said enforcement procedures would be available if conditions were violated. Attorney Mark Frantz tallied the five Finding-of-Facts ballots; the board found in favor on all five findings and the variance passed.

The variance approval is conditioned on standard zoning oversight and any necessary environmental approvals from IDEM. The board did not record a detailed schedule of permit milestones at the meeting; enforcement and any further restrictions will be handled through the planning office if concerns arise.