Neighbors raise noise and air concerns as NextWaste seeks setback variance; court directs staff to get more information

Travis County staff opened a public hearing on a variance request from NextWaste LLC to locate a transfer station at 9110 S. US 183, inside the code-required 350-foot setback from individual residences. Emily Ackland, Division Director for Natural Resources and Environmental Quality, summarized the variance request and read the code criteria (Travis County Code section 3.12.003) requiring that minor solid-waste facilities be at least 350 feet from residences and certain sensitive uses. The NextWaste representative, Walter Beal, said the operation would be enclosed and would accept construction and demolition debris rather than municipal solid waste, asserting the facility would perform on-site separation and recycling. "Within the building, yes...we'll do a minimum of 10% recycling; based off our history, we'll probably be in the 30 to 40%" he said.

Several nearby residents told the court they live adjacent to the site and opposed the variance because of potential noise, dust and odors. A resident said she lived at 9112 US 183, immediately adjacent, and asked whether the 350-foot measurement is from a home or property boundary; staff clarified the measurement is from the facility location/property boundary under county code. Staff cited supplemental information that described a proposed transfer capacity of about 1,000 tons per day and said the court could consider the item in executive session; after executive session the court unanimously directed staff to obtain more specific details from NextWaste on mitigation measures (air, noise, light, water), remediation plans in case of releases, and evidence of neighbor outreach and consent.