Planning Commission recommends renewal and expansion of 4 L Corporation biosolids storage permit with conditions
June 19, 2026 | Goochland County, Virginia
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The Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional‑use permit renewal and an expansion for a routine biosolids storage facility owned by 4 L Corporation, approving proposed additional covered storage (doubling the covered footprint) and supporting a 10‑year permit term to align county and state permit cycles.
Planner Adam Barber explained biosolids are treated sewage sludge used as fertilizer, why storage facilities exist, and that routine storage away from a sewage treatment plant for more than 45 days requires a county conditional‑use permit and a state DEQ permit. The applicant requested expansion of the covered area from a 100‑by‑100 foot (10,000 sq ft) covered area to 200‑by‑100 feet (20,000 sq ft) and a 10‑year term; staff recommended conditions including a 200‑foot setback from the nearest stream or wetland (struck from the prior permit and carried forward), dark‑sky‑compliant lighting restrictions, vehicle transport hours (Monday–Saturday, 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and a requirement to notify the county on transfer of ownership.
Owen Lanier, president of 4 L Corporation, said DEQ inspects the facility monthly and the operation has not generated recent DEQ odor complaints; he said doubling the covered area mainly provides additional cover for adverse weather periods and can reduce sound while loading/unloading.
Staff noted that DEQ regulates odor and field application of biosolids and that odor complaints or field‑application issues should be directed to DEQ. The commission moved to recommend approval as presented and the motion passed on a 5‑0 roll call; the case is tentatively scheduled for Board of Supervisors consideration on Aug. 4, 2026.
Why it matters: The facility stores material from municipal treatment plants for later land application; expansion increases covered storage capacity and invites scrutiny from nearby residents concerned about odor, truck traffic and environmental safeguards.
What’s next: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for its Aug. 4, 2026 hearing.
Planner Adam Barber explained biosolids are treated sewage sludge used as fertilizer, why storage facilities exist, and that routine storage away from a sewage treatment plant for more than 45 days requires a county conditional‑use permit and a state DEQ permit. The applicant requested expansion of the covered area from a 100‑by‑100 foot (10,000 sq ft) covered area to 200‑by‑100 feet (20,000 sq ft) and a 10‑year term; staff recommended conditions including a 200‑foot setback from the nearest stream or wetland (struck from the prior permit and carried forward), dark‑sky‑compliant lighting restrictions, vehicle transport hours (Monday–Saturday, 4 a.m. to 6 p.m.), and a requirement to notify the county on transfer of ownership.
Owen Lanier, president of 4 L Corporation, said DEQ inspects the facility monthly and the operation has not generated recent DEQ odor complaints; he said doubling the covered area mainly provides additional cover for adverse weather periods and can reduce sound while loading/unloading.
Staff noted that DEQ regulates odor and field application of biosolids and that odor complaints or field‑application issues should be directed to DEQ. The commission moved to recommend approval as presented and the motion passed on a 5‑0 roll call; the case is tentatively scheduled for Board of Supervisors consideration on Aug. 4, 2026.
Why it matters: The facility stores material from municipal treatment plants for later land application; expansion increases covered storage capacity and invites scrutiny from nearby residents concerned about odor, truck traffic and environmental safeguards.
What’s next: The Planning Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Board of Supervisors for its Aug. 4, 2026 hearing.
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