Stop-work order issued for building of Metro Green C&D recycling facility

Officials in Stonecrest, Georgia, issued a stop-work order on July 1 for the ongoing construction of the Metro Green Recycling Center, The Champion reports. Metro Green Recycling is an Atlanta-based recycler of construction and demolition (C&D) material.

According to Stonecrest Planning and Zoning Director Christopher Wheeler, the stop-work order was issued due to the facility’s failure to meet DeKalb County, Georgia’s solid waste plan. Wheeler says he doesn’t know when the order will be lifted, but is incumbent on developers addressing the site’s issues.

The building project has faced scrutiny due to its proximity to residential areas and schools. On July 2, Georgia Rep. Doreen Carter held a town hall along with Sen. Emanuel Jones, Rep. Viola Davis, DeKalb County Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson and Stonecrest representatives.

Metro Green Recycling spokesperson Bernie Tokarz told The Champion that the company was aware of its proximity to residential areas and moved its entrance to minimize disruptions. Additionally, Metro Green says that odor mitigation technology and runoff controls have been factored into the design of the building to help prevent pollution and disturbances to the facility’s neighbors.

Prior to changing its entrance location, the company held two open meetings with the public to discuss potential issues, which Tokarz says were announced to area residents via postcards and signage.

“[This meeting] was noticed, I know, on the city’s website and the legal organ,” Tokarz says. “There was a public hearing in January in front of the Board of Zoning Appeals. I believe there were 15 people who showed up.”

Stonecrest Councilmember Rob Turner contends that he failed to receive notification of the entrance change, and that the meetings held by Metro were simply to announce the company’s intentions to commence the construction initiative. Further, he says that the construction project was never brought before the city council for a vote.

“We would have never approved [the project]” Turner says.

“I think it’s apparent that steps were omitted … and the community was not informed of this project,” Jones says. “It’s my hope that the owners of this facility will understand the impact this project will have on the residential community. It’s unfortunate that this project was not properly vetted.”

After the stop-work order is lifted, Stonecrest representatives say they will work with Metro to “ensure the safety of the environment and the surrounding residential and business corridors” during the build.  

Stonecrest Councilmember George Turner says that in the future, city officials must present such building projects to the community to keep them better informed.

“We need to open it up so that all projects, commercial or industrial, are brought before the council,” George Turner says.