Maricopa County has escalated legal efforts against a Laveen composting business which has been the subject of hundreds of complaints about foul odors permeating the neighborhood. A lawsuit was initiated against the company, known as Arizona Green Guys or Growers Market, for flouting zoning laws after operating within a residential district without the required permits. According to FOX 10 Phoenix, in a community where the air has been described by resident Kayla Parra as "the most rotten fermented trash," local officials and residents are demanding immediate action.
Since the issue first came to the county's attention, over 700 complaints have been filed regarding the odor stemming from the composting facility near Dobson and 27th Avenue. The smell, intrusive enough to cause health concerns, has been a source of distress for locals sharing a border with the operation. "A nightmare. A nightmare, to us and all the neighbors here," Maria Rosario Gallegos told FOX 10 Phoenix, describing her experience living next to the site. Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo pointedly criticized the business owner, asserting, "It is unconscionable what they're doing."
Despite being issued a cease and desist order by the county, with a deadline set to vacate the property by March 10th, the owner, Neal Brooks, defended his business during a hearing. Brooks claimed to have invested in mitigating the smell, spending $2,000 on a compound designed to neutralize odors. Yet, neighbors have continued to report the ongoing operations and delivery of materials to the site, contradicting claims of winding down activities. "As you can see, they're not ceasing or desisting," added Gallegos in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
A legal complaint, as detailed by ABC15, states that a neighbor recorded mulch being dumped on the property, highlighting the business's continued defiance of the county's orders. In addition, ABC15 reported that the county alleges the smell has persisted even after the November judgment, and a court hearing is set for January 7 to determine further action to compel compliance.
The extent of the impact on the Laveen community is profound, with residents reporting significant health issues believed to be associated with the noxious odor. "We started opening our windows and doors and being outside more. Suddenly, our son got sick. He's been sick for two months now and we can't get control of it. He suddenly has asthma. He was a perfectly healthy 6-year-old little boy," Amy Swartz recounted in a statement obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix.
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