Thorlakson Nature’s Call Inc. (TNC) has been granted extra time to clean up its site.
During a regular meeting Jan. 28, Rocky View County (RVC) council voted unanimously to extend the deadline to June 28. According to planner Jessica Anderson, after the compost facility – located east of Airdrie – was refused a development permit June 11, 2019, council voted that the operation must immediately cease accepting new composting material and complete a full site cleanup within 90 days. Council then granted an extension to that deadline of Dec. 11, 2019.
In a letter dated Dec. 23, 2019, Anderson said, TNC requested another extension of six months to complete the cleanup.
“On Dec. 18 of last year, staff attended the site and completed an inspection,” she said. “Staff from Solid Waste & Recycling, Compliance, Planning and Agricultural Services were in attendance and noted that the amount of material on site is significantly reduced, that no new material has been brought on site, and that the remaining material is being screened and sorted.”
Further, Anderson noted that operations manager Kier Scott has stated TNC is running a seven-person crew 24 hours a day to process the remaining wind rows.
Administration reviewed the request and felt it was reasonable, Anderson said, since no new materials have been accepted since council’s decision, and significant progress has been made on the site cleanup.
She noted TNC will continue to compost manure at its site, in accordance with approvals that have already been granted.
The operation drew significant complaints from neighbouring residents, who complained of a “stench” emanating from the site. According to Anderson, no formal complaints have been made about TNC since council refused its permit in June 2019.
