Monroe County commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to approve a new zoning amendment for remote and central garbage and rubbish removal facilities.
The amendment changes these types of facilities from permitted to conditional uses. That means new facilities must go before the Board of Zoning Appeals for approval. Officials say that will add transparency and allow for more public input.
But, resident Mark Napier is still worried about a proposed waste transfer site on Bloomington's west side.
"I think it'll have a huge impact on property values and quality of life," Napier says. "And businesses that have come to the area through a lot of concerted efforts by the county and by the county officials."
The proposed waste transfer facility would be located on Angelina Lane. Signs in opposition have popped up all over the west side of the city.
Larry Wilson is the director of the Monroe County Planning Department. He says though the process will be difficult, approving the ordinance is necessary.
"It's not going to be easy. No matter what we do, we're going to have people who say we don't like that. That's zoning," he says.
The change is temporary until commissioners decide on a long-term solution later this year.