Zoning board recommends disputed compost facility near Des Plaines
The Cook County zoning board recommended approval of a proposal Wednesday to build 25-acre organic composting facility across from Oakton Community College.
Some Des Plaines residents voiced concern the project had been quietly moved toward approval without notifying nearby homeowners, and they worried the facility on East Central Road would cause odor problems.
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.
Zoning board members recommended the plan with the requirement the developer could not expand the operation beyond 25 acres in the future. Board Chairman Kevin Freeman allowed residents to speak and ask questions about the project, though procedurally the meeting was intended only for a vote. Patriot Acres publicly proposed the plan at a meeting in February.
The developers intend to coordinate a public meeting at Oakton to educate residents about the project, said Mary Beth Hoerner, an assistant to County Commissioner Peter Sylvestri. A date has not been set.
The developer plans to annually convert up to 200,000 cubic yards 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.
Patriot Acres would be required to comply with state and county laws regulating plans for odor, dust and noise control, and stormwater management.
The full Cook County Board would need to consider the plan for approval. A vote could be taken as early as the April 12 meeting, officials said.