Residents tell Alamance County commissioners proposed landfill ‘doesn’t add up’ for nearby homeowners

Dozens of residents told Alamance County commissioners on Dec. 18 that a proposed landfill near Platte Mill/Claphamille Road would harm nearby neighborhoods and county finances.

Carol Davis, who identified 11 families living next to the proposed site, said the county has assessed their homes at nearly $4,300,000 and contrasted that with the landfill parcel’s assessed value at roughly $308,000. "With the landfill, there is no net gain for the county," she said, and argued that reassessments and lower home values would reduce county revenue.

Several other speakers expressed similar concerns about quality of life and property values. Bob Kirschner, a resident near the Oldfields development, said he feared a decline in resale value for homes bought at premium prices by retirees. Joe Snyder said he surveyed 20–30 neighbors and found widespread worry that residents might ultimately have to move. Robin Hart described existing landfill impacts on nearby roads and neighborhood life.

Speakers also flagged traffic and site-access issues: Henry Vines described muddy roads near the proposed entrance following recent rain and said truck traffic has already affected the road surface. No county official presented a new technical analysis of environmental or traffic impacts during public comment.

The public comments did not yield a vote on the landfill itself at the Dec. 18 meeting. Commissioners did not take formal action on the proposal during the session, and staff did not announce a timeline for further review or a decision at that meeting.

What’s next: The topic may return to the board for a scheduled agenda item or staff report; residents urged commissioners to consider property-value impacts and to seek additional analysis before any approval.