Tuesday, May 23, 2023–1:53 p.m.

-David Crowder, WRGA News-

The Rome City Commission has approved a special use permit for a wood transfer station on Technology Parkway.

The applicant is seeking a change from Light Industrial to Heavy Industrial for the operation, which uses an enclosed machine to burn wood debris, as opposed to open burning.

The logs or chips are brought in by commercial trucks to be incinerated.

There was a similar operation for about two years on John Davenport Drive next to Mathis Building Supply.

The approval does come with conditions such as the operation of an air curtain, and that the unit is operated in strict compliance with EPD air quality permitting and the development of an air quality monitoring plan.

A copy of the permit, monitoring data, and operation plan will be required to be maintained on-site.

Planning staff recommended denial but the planning commission voted 5-2 earlier this month to recommend approval.

Commissioner Jim Bojo was the only ‘no’ voted during Monday’s city commission meeting.