Stumping the dump: Pittsburgh mulls ban on waste transfer stations near homes

A Pittsburgh councilwoman wants to keep waste transfer stations away from residential areas where neighbors could be disrupted by frequent garbage truck trips and air pollution.

Councilwoman Barb Warwick, D-Greenfield, proposed a zoning bill that would prohibit such uses within 500 feet of residential areas, elementary or secondary schools, parks and neighborhood commercial spaces.

There are currently no waste transfer stations — where garbage trucks dump trash that will eventually be taken to a larger landfill — within the city.

Pittsburgh’s Department of Public Works crews currently have to drive to a landfill in Imperial to dispose of the trash they collect, a trip Warwick acknowledged is lengthy.

While the councilwoman said she’s not opposed to the notion of a waste transfer station in the city, she doesn’t want to see one pop up near people’s homes.

That’s currently a possibility, as Republic Services has a permit from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection that would pave the way for the company to operate one on Vespucius Street in Hazelwood, barely a mile from the Hazelwood Green development and near an existing residential community.

Republic Services now operates a recycling plant at the site. But if Warwick’s proposal stands, the company would be barred from running a waste transfer station there.

Lori Kolczynski, general manager of BFI Waste Services of Pennsylvania, a subsidiary of Republic Services, called Warwick’s bill an “attack” on the company’s Hazelwood site.

“A waste transfer station is an essential public service,” added Frank Chimera, area director of business development with Republic Services.

If not here, where?

Republic Services meets the state’s guidelines for a waste transfer station, which require such a use be at least 300 feet from residential areas. That’s a lower threshold than what Warwick proposed.

“If not this site, then where else in the city is there a suitable site for a waste transfer station?” Chimera said during Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting.

Warwick presented to commissioners a map showing several small areas throughout the city where such a use would be permitted under her zoning proposal.

She didn’t deny that having such a facility within city limits could be a benefit for the garbage truck drivers who now travel beyond Pittsburgh’s limits to drop off trash.

“That obviously puts a strain on our vehicles, and it takes time from environmental service routes,” she said.

But Warwick said the need to efficiently get rid of trash must be balanced with residents’ well-being. She raised concerns that a dumping spot could lead to light, noise and air pollution, plus extra traffic or rodents.

The city currently does not have any guidelines in its zoning code pertaining to waste transfer stations.

Split decision

Commissioners were split on a vote Tuesday.

“I think there are a lot of unanswered questions about where it would be if it’s not there,” Commissioner Steve Mazza said.

Mazza said he thought it would be a good thing to have a closer site to drop off trash — but he agreed with Warwick that location couldn’t be right in someone’s backyard.

Commissioner Rachel O’Neill pointed out the measure would not completely ban such facilities in the city. It also would not stop Republic Services from continuing their existing recycling operations.

Having set regulations for waste transfer stations in the city’s code, Commissioner Phillip Wu said, would give residents and businesses looking to open one a clear understanding of where such an operation would or would not be permitted.

The Planning Commission ultimately voted in favor of the zoning bill, which will go to City Council for final approval.

Commissioners Dina Blackwell and Holly Dick joined O’Neill and Wu in supporting the measure. Commissioners LaShawn Burton-Faulk and Steve Mazza voted against it.