'Not In Our Backyard': Septic to Compost Conversion Plan Hits Local Opposition Snag

A proposal for a facility that converts septic waste to compost will have to find another home, after a decision in Linn County, Iowa.

1 minute read

July 18, 2018, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell

sonsam / Shutterstock

Mitchell Schmidt reports from an unincorporated area in Linn County near Cedar Rapids: "An inventive approach to converting sewage into compost was halted Monday night by passionate neighbors who said they didn’t want the project — and its potential associated odors and detriments to water quality and property values — in their backyards."

At a packed meeting, the Linn County Planning and Zoning Commission denied a conditional use permit requested by Miene Septic. The company would have used 40 acres to convert septic waste to compost. The site is zoned for agricultural use, which allows for a sewage treatment plant under the county's zoning code. Opposition was organized by a group called Not In Our Backyard.

FULL STORY: Public fervor spells end to Linn County sewage compost idea

Tuesday, July 17, 2018 in The Gazette

Environment Land Use Iowa Linn County Septic Compost Controversies Not In Our Backyard NIMBYs Agricultural Uses Conditional Use Permit Zoning Codes unincorporated communities View More

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