advertisement

Des Plaines residents raise stink over proposed commercial compost facility

Some Des Plaines residents are upset over a proposed commercial composting facility, complaining the 25-acre development across from Oakton Community College would cause an odor problem in the area.

The Cook County Zoning Board could recommend the development Tuesday during a meeting. Cook County commissioners would consider the proposal next month.

Glenview-based developer Patriot Acres LLC wants to build the organic composting facility on a section of property previously used as a landfill. Camp Pine Woods of the Forest Preserves of Cook County and the Des Plaines River straddle the 160-acre parcel owned by the Archdiocese of Chicago.

The developer plans to annually convert up to 200,000 cubic yards, or roughly 16,000 dump trucks, of food scraps and yard trimmings into compost for sale to landscaping businesses or plant nurseries. The food waste would be primarily from grocery stores or restaurants unable to sell produce.

Jim Griffin, an attorney for Chicago firm Schain Banks representing Patriot Acres, said the developer met with officials from surrounding cities and Oakton.

"We engaged in an active program to inform surrounding municipalities," Griffin said. "There was certainly no attempt to minimize publicity about the project."

Griffin said the proposed composting facility is a viable use of the defunct landfill site, which must be regulated by state and Cook County environmental agencies. The regulations require plans for odor, dust and noise control, and stormwater management.

Nearby Des Plaines residents recently opened their mailboxes to find an ominous flier warning of a backdoor deal to build the "gargantuan" facility on East Central Road.

"Something about this really stinks," the anonymous flier says in capital letters. "It's happening right under our noses. And if we don't act to stop it now, we'll all be smelling it for decades to come."

The flier has concerned area residents, including Nick Chiropolos, who lives less than a mile from the site. He's worried the composting facility will cause odors and attract bugs to an area he enjoys visiting on walks.

"That is a lovely area, and I just don't feel like this project is appropriate for that area," Chiropolos said.

The plan appears to have support from neighboring Oakton. Last fall, Matthew Smarjesse, a co-owner of Patriot Acres, presented the project to Oakton's board of trustees. He later met with the college's sustainability specialist and director of facilities, school spokesman Paul Palian said. The developer agreed to potentially partner with the school to provide guest lectures, site visits and internships for students, Palian said.

The site is in County Commissioner Peter Silvestri's district. Residents have called Silvestri's office after seeing the flier, chief of staff Diane Viverito said.

"This mailer - right or wrong - was meant to scare the hell out of people," Viverito said. "You can read that and see that."

The zoning board of appeals discussed the proposal in February, and board members are set to vote on a recommendation at 1 p.m. Wednesday at 118 N. Clark St. in Chicago.

The plan would then need to pass the county board's zoning and building committee for approval. Silvestri, who's chairman of the committee, plans to either vote against the proposal because of residents' feedback or recuse himself because he's worked for the law firm representing the developer, Viverito said.

  A 25-acre compost facility is proposed for a former landfill site at 9800 E. Central Road in Des Plaines. Joe Lewnard/jlewnard@dailyherald.com
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.