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Sussex County officials to review composting operation

Blessing seeks to change conditions, amend bond requirement
October 18, 2017

Story Location:
Draper Road
Milford, DE
United States

The owner of Blessing Greenhouses and Compost will return to plead his case to amend or clarify three conditions placed on his application for approval to run his operation on Draper Road near Milford.

Owner Bruce Blessing wants county officials to consider amending a condition requiring a bond guaranteeing site cleanup and other conditions. In addition, Blessing is seeking amendments to hours when material can be accepted and a clarification on buffers the county is requiring.

Among the long list of conditions, Blessing faces a deadline to clean up a large outdoor pile of material that has accumulated for years. The condition was a result of concerns from nearby residents who have complained about odors.

Sussex County Director of Planning and Zoning Janelle Cornwell said county and Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control inspectors will evaluate the status of the cleanup in late November or early December.

Blessing has until that time frame to clean up the pile. If the work is not completed, he will have to post a $1 million bond. In addition, if all conditions are not complied with, the conditional use will be voided.

Under the conditions approved by county officials, material can be accepted from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Saturday. A vegetated buffer of at least 25 feet with an 8-foot berm is required around the perimeter of the property. Included in the condition is a provision allowing an extension of the buffer if required by other agencies.

At the Oct. 12 Sussex County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, assistant county attorney Vince Robertson said it was advisable that the three requested amendments go through another public hearing process. Commissioners agreed.

Once the large pile is removed from the site, the location can no longer be used to process or store material, according to the conditions. All composting must occur in new buildings to be constructed as Blessing upgrades the composting process on the parcel.

During public hearings, Blessing unveiled a major plan to revamp his composting process. The plan includes seven new 11,000-square-foot covered buildings with 12-inch concrete floors capable of processing 4,000 cubic yards of compost at a time.

Blessing Blends organic compost is the major product produced at the site and is sold retail and wholesale. Flowers and vegetables are grown in greenhouses at the site.

 

 

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