Neighbors say they were given little notice about proposed recycling plant

Some Gwinnett County neighbors are fighting a proposed recycling plant that would open up at an entrance to their neighborhood.

The final vote is next week, but until then, the neighbors along Gravitt Trail in Duluth are fighting to stop a recycling plant from opening.

It’s supposed to help with overflowing landfills, but neighbors say it needs to be further away from homes.

“It’s neither wanted nor welcome here,” said Wayne Graham, who has lived in the neighborhood for 28 years.

Neighbors say their community is a common cut-through for cars headed to Buford Highway.

But they fear it’s about to get worse.

“Trucks are going to come through here. Some are going to be very large,” said Inna Donelan.

The signs show the frustration some neighbors have about a proposal to bring a massive metal sorting facility into their community.

TRENDING STORIES:

• Savannah Chrisley says mother’s prison treats dogs better than inmates, dad’s hair is gray

• Man arrested after exposing himself in front of child at Cobb Walmart. Again.

• Man body-slammed by metro Atlanta officer in dashcam video wants officer fired, lawyers say

“It would be more of a blight on our community, to be honest with you,” Graham said.

A 20,000-square-foot recovered materials processing facility is being proposed off Gravitt Trail and Buford Highway.

The Norcross-based company Remetales said its facility will “reduce the amount of materials sent to landfills.”

The goal is to change zoning in the area to allow it to open within 1,000 feet of homes.

“They’re in essence putting a junkyard in our backyard,” said Mike Mullett.

Neighbors say only a handful of them received notices about public meetings last month.

“I did receive one,” said Donelan. “My neighbor Wayne two doors down did not and we’re on the same road.”

When the planning commission voted to recommend the plan to the board of commissioners, neighbors say it was too late for them to speak up.

Neighbors now have until the end of the month to try and affect the final commissioner vote at the end of the month.

“It’s the safety our children, it’s the quality of our lives, the pollution, the noise,” said Graham.

The company says no hazardous materials will be processed at the facility if approved.

The final board of commissioners’ vote is next Tuesday, Feb. 28.

IN OTHER NEWS: