Proposal would use methane gas from landfill

By Janet Jacobs

Daily Sun

The Corsicana Planning and Zoning Commission gave the initial approval Thursday needed for a new recycling plant near the Corsicana landfill.

Effective Environmental Inc., a company out of Balch Springs and Houston, wants to build a multi-functional center in Corsicana that would transfer recyclables, grind up recyclables, and create electricity by burning everything from diaper trimmings and old tires to waste gas from the landfill and sewage treatment plant.

The company would be considered a “minor” air emissions source, according to state standards, and would eventually have some wastewater, which would go into the sewage treatment plant, according to Chris Ewing, president of the company.

The plant would initially hire 20 to 30 people, but eventually would employ about 100 once the plant is up to full speed, he told the commissioners. The project would cost between $8 million and $10 million.

The company chose Corsicana because of the location, Ewing said.

“Proximity to the Dallas market, and the ability to garner a strong workforce,” he explained.

Finding a nice piece of undeveloped land next to the landfill is another factor, said Doug Riley, director of engineering and environmental affairs for Effective Environmental.

Corsicana Engineer Elizabeth Borstad said the city had some requests, which the company complied with, including no explosives, dioxins, PCBs, or radioactive materials, no open containers and any hazardous materials being transferred had to stay in their same containers, and the plant must comply with state regulations.

In addition, she asked if the commission could delay approval on the solid-waste burning until the city had more information.

That would be a deal-breaker, Ewing told the commission. The state of Texas already has regulations regarding solid waste disposal, and the company would comply with all of those, he said.

The company’s specific use permit still has to go before the Corsicana City Council on Dec. 15.

If Effective Environmental gets the SUP for the land, it will start seeking the state permits in January, Ewing said.

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Janet Jacobs may be reached via e-mail at jacobs@corsicanadailysun.com. Want to “Soundoff” on this story? E-mail: soundoff@corsicanadailysun.com.

CORSICANA PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION MEETING BRIEFS

By Janet Jacobs/Daily Sun Staff Writer

Catholic church gets approval

The Corsicana Planning and Zoning Commission approved the final plat for the new activities building at the Immaculate Conception Church. The request was tabled in October, when the church couldn’t agree with neighbors for how far back the building would be set from the property line.

The issue over setbacks went to the Corsicana City Council Tuesday and the council reduced the amount of space needed for setbacks to 20 feet for sideyards. However, in the meantime, the Catholic church reached an agreement with then neighbors for an 88-foot setback at the rear and 40 feet on the side. The church said it would stick with the agreed-upon setbacks, which the commission approved Thursday.

Baptist Church gets approval

Final plat was also given to the request by Northside Baptist Church for its complex expansion. Northside did redraw its plat to comply with the changed ordinance, and had created a 20-foot setback around the property. The church hasn’t said where it will put buildings yet, but the new setback allows for a greater degree of flexibility.

Re-plat tabled

A request from the owners of the Colonial Inn to replat 2021 Regal Drive, to split it into two properties, was tabled until the city could speak to the owners again.

Demolitions scheduled, done

A 90-day demolition order was given for the house at 3206 N. Navarro Drive, and a 6-month order was given for the house at 908 S. 17th. Both owners will have until those deadlines to bring their homes up to code, or risk their destruction. Two properties, 317 1/2 N. Beaton, and 3305 Oak Valley Road, were scheduled to be considered for demolition, but the owners took the initiative and demolished the properties prior to the meeting.