HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 04-15-2008 - 2 earlyEXHIBIT 2
PRELIMINARY TECHNICAL SITING CRITERIA
^ Central location to collection routes - To maximize waste collection efficiency, transfer
stations should be located centrally to waste collection routes. As a rule of thumb in urban and
suburban areas, transfer stations should be no more than 10 miles away from the end of all
collection routes. Beyond that distance, collection routes might need to be altered to enable
refuse to be collected and deposited at the transfer station within one operating shift.
^ Access to major transportation routes -The transfer station should have direct and
convenient access to truck routes, major arterials, and highways (or rail or barge access, if
appropriate). For large metropolitan areas, direct access to rail lines or barges will significantly
reduce the number of large transfer trailers leaving the station and traveling area roads. It is
preferable to avoid routing traffic through residential areas because traffic generated by transfer
stations contributes to congestion; increased risk to pedestrians; increased air emissions, noise,
and wear on roads; and might contribute to Litter problems.
^ Site size requirements -The area required for specific transfer stations varies significantly,
depending on the volume of waste to be transferred, rates at which waste will be delivered, the
functions to be carried out at the site, and the types of customers the facility is intended to serve.
Locating a site of sufficient size is critical to operating efficiencies and minimizing impacts on
the surrounding community. Engineering input can establish preliminary size criteria based on a
conceptual design.
^ Sufficient space for on-site roadways, queuing, and parking -Transfer stations typically have
on-site roadways to move vehicles around various parts of the transfer site. Waste collection trucks
can be up to 40 feet long. Transfer trailers that move waste to a disposal facility are typically 50 to
70 feet long. These vehicles need wide roadways with gradual slopes and curves to maneuver
efFciently and safely. Also, the site will need space for parking transfer vehicles and to allow
incoming and outgoing traffic to form lines without backing up onto public roads.
^ Truck and traffic compatibility -Transfer stations often receive surges of traffic when
collection vehicles have finished their routes. Transfer station traffic varies locally but tends to
peak twice a day. The first peak is often near the middle of the day or shift, and the second at the
end of the day or shift. Therefore, the best sites for transfer stations are located away from areas
that have midday traffic peaks and/or school bus and pedestrian traffic.
^ Ability for expansion -When selecting a site, consider the potential for subsequent increase in
the daily tonnage of waste that the facility will be required to manage, or added processing
capabilities for recycling and diversion. It is frequently less expensive to expand an existing
transfer station than to develop a new site due to the ability to use existing operations staff, utility
connection, tra~c.control systems, office space, and buildings.
^ Space for recycling, composting, and public education - A transfer station could be sited in
.areas also conducive to recycling or composting activities. Many transfer stations are designed to
enable residents and businesses to drop off recyclables and yard waste in addition to trash. Some
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EXHIBIT 2
PRELIMINARY TECHNICAL SITING CRITERIA
transfer stations incorporate education centers or interpretive trails focusing on waste prevention.
These types of facilities offer increased utility to the community.
^ Buffer space - To mitigate impact on the surrounding community, a transfer station should be
located in an area that provides separation from sensitive adjoining land uses as residences.
Buffers can be natural or constructed and can take many forms, including open spaces, fences,
sound walls, trees, berms, and landscaping.
^ Gently sloping topography -Transfer stations often are multilevel buildings that need to have
vehicle access at several. levels. Completely flat sites need ramps or bridges constructed to allow
vehicle access to upper levels (or areas excavated to allow access to lower levels). Sites with
moderately sloping terrain can use topography to their advantage, allowing access to the upper
levels from the higher parts of the natural terrain and access to lower levels from the lower parts.
Sites with steep slopes might require extra costs associated with earthmoving and retaining walls.
^ Access to utilities -Transfer stations generally require electricity to operate equipment, such as
balers and compactors; lighting; water for facility cleaning, restrooms, and drinking; and sanitary
sewer systems for wastewater disposal. Some smaller transfer stations use wells for water supply,
and some, especially in more rural settings, use septic systems or truck their wastewater for ofF
site treatment.
® Zoning designations and requirements -Zoning ordinances frequently classify transfer
stations as industrial uses, which limits their siting to areas zoned for industry usually in
conjunction with a special use permit. Exclusive use of predetermined land use criteria, however,
might result in locating transfer stations in areas already overburdened with industries or
clustering of these types of facilities in areas adjacent to poor and minority communities. If local
zoning ordinances are so restrictive that they disallow facility siting outside pre-established
industrial zones, substantial engineering and architectural design must be incorporated into the
facility to minimize impacts on the surrounding community.
^ Carbon footprint -Carbon emissions output of waste hauling and transfer operations
referenced to the centroid of waste generation.'
1 Criteria Modified for Orange County, North Carolina.
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