Residents push back against possible wastewater plant in Union County

UNION COUNTY, N.C. — Residents are upset about of the possibility of a new sewage facility in their Union County neighborhood.

The Union County Planning Board recommended that a plot of land be rezoned off Ridge Road near Friendly Baptist Church Road.

Homeowners said they are worried about their quality of life and the possibility of foul odors and flooding if a sewage plant is built.

County officials said only 20% of the land is in a flood plain and no structure would be built in that area.

Residents said they feel the process happened quickly, so they are pushing back by creating a website and placing signs in opposition to the development.

Residents push back against possible wastewater plant in Union County

“We understand concerns and we want to be good neighbors,” said Liz Cooper, Union County spokesperson. “We welcome input and feedback going forward.”

Cooper said a meeting was held on Monday for public feedback on the potential rezoning.

She said the land is in consideration for a wastewater facility.

However, wastewater is highly regulated, and it would take years of environmental and engineering studies and permits before the county could even vote on building the plant.

“We want to be responsible for planning for the future,” Cooper said. “We’re looking at potential land for a future wastewater plant because land is at a premium.”

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Scott Robba said it doesn’t matter how many years it would take to build the facility, he plans to stay in the forever home he’s building.

“It’s heartbreaking,” Robba said. “We moved out here. We fell in love with the views, the smells, and with them building that facility, it would really change every aspect of that land.”

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