The CAPCOG Solid Waste Program has helped several counties draft, review and update solid waste siting ordinances to prepare them for the possibility of facilities expanding or locating within their jurisdictions as the industry’s demand increases. A well-crafted siting ordinance is the only tool counties have to regulate the location of solid waste facilities which can include landfills that process putrescible municipal solid waste, brush, construction and demolition waste, and other non-putrescible waste; as well as facilities that transfer, incinerate, dewater, grind, shred, salvage, bale, separate or reclaim materials.
As the region’s population grows, so does its need to dispose of solid waste. Ideally, that waste can be diverted from landfills, but if the region’s trends continue, facilities will be at capacity in less than 20 years, said Ken May, CAPCOG regional programs coordinator. Anticipating further growth, the solid waste industry is already trying to locate facilities outside the major metropolitan area with several companies recently submitting applications to the TCEQ to expand or create facilities in Bastrop, Caldwell, Travis and Williamson counties.
“Siting ordinances can be complicated, because no one wants a landfill in their backyard, and they can’t fully ban operations in a county,” May said. A proper siting ordinance must define where facilities can be located based on land-use capability. CAPCOG has drafted an ordinance template which outlines regulations that coincide with the region’s solid waste management plan and adhere to TCEQ and the State’s guidance. It recommends determining location restrictions that seek to protect the public’s health, safety and welfare by setting controls such as setbacks from floodplains and evaluating ingress and egress issues. CAPCOG also can help tailor a draft ordinance for a jurisdiction by providing technical assistance. Its staff has decades of subject matter expertise and stays current on solid waste industry trends and state legislation. It’s planning and GIS capabilities also can provide empirical data and mapping to ensure a county’s restrictions are justified and supported.
Since 2013, CAPCOG has aided Bastrop, Burnet, Fayette, and Lee, Travis and Williamson counties with ordinances.
Counties interested in updating or drafting a siting ordnance can contact May.
