Forsyth County approves special‑use permit for land‑clearing inert debris landfill on Watkins Ford Road

The Forsyth County Board of Commissioners voted 6–1 on July 30 to approve a special‑use permit for a land‑clearing and inert debris landfill (LCID) on a roughly 69.5‑acre tract east of High Point Road and south of Watkins Ford Road (Case F1667).

Tanner Bowles, owner‑operator of Union Cross Land Development LCID, testified under oath that the operation would be phased, that disturbed areas would be stabilized, and that closed cells would be fenced and used for cattle grazing before eventual return to agricultural use. “We will then fence and have cattle graze at a landfill site as no structures will be built,” Bowles said when describing closure and long‑term land management.

Stacy Smith, a licensed civil engineer for Smith Gardner with decades of solid‑waste practice, presented a technical evaluation and said the proposed site plan addresses floodplain, stormwater, groundwater monitoring and setbacks. “In our opinion … the proposed plan and development complies with the required regulations and standards, and if operated in accordance with the proper permits, will not materially endanger the public health safety and general welfare,” she said.

Opponents raised concerns about truck traffic on tar‑and‑gravel roads, potential impacts to Abbotts Creek and downstream waters, dust, and grease or hydraulic fluid from heavy equipment. A nearby resident asked whether increased truck loads would damage local roads; Bowles said gross vehicle weights would be subject to state permits and that similar traffic serves the operator’s existing LCID north of Watkins Ford Road.

After closing the quasi‑judicial hearing and receiving testimony from technical experts, the board found the four statutory findings required for a special‑use permit had been proved and approved the permit. The motion to approve specified that the board relied on the testimony and exhibits presented on July 30, 2026. The approval includes the site plan and the state and local permit conditions required for LCID operations.