Georgia P&Z Commission Approves Recycling Project

The Macon-Bibb, Ga. County Planning and Zoning Commission approved rezoning a portion of 13.14 acres in the city from Wholesale and Light Industrial District to Industrial District. According to a spokeswoman from the city's planning commission, about six acres of the proposed site were rezoned to allow the recycling facility to be built.

The commission's staff had recommended denial of the rezoning, but after the applicant, Jim Rollins of The Ramsbottom Co., made some changes to the application it was approved by all four members present.

At least five new jobs will be created by the recycling company, Rollins said. He represents the landowner Land O'Lakes, which bought the property, and said he didn't know the name of the recycling company.

The plant will recycle metal items such as cars, electric motors, generators and cans, Rollins said. The recycled products will be shipped away from the site by rail or truck.

Plans are to remove a majority of the feed mill tanks and grain bins and clean up the front of the property but retain a 32,000-square-foot building to store recycled materials and an 8,800-square-foot concrete and metal building that will contain an automobile crusher.

The commission's staff reported that the plant's property line is within 300 feet of a residential district, which is not allowed. However, after Rollins said the owner was willing to subdivide the property, the commissioners agreed to rezone the southern half of the property (where the recycling plant will be located), which places it more than 300 feet from the residential areas.