CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A northwest Charlotte neighborhood is once again battling against a landfill set to be placed next to their homes.
It's a story WCNC Charlotte has covered for months now. The city denied a crucial part of the landfill’s plan last year, preventing it from moving forward.
A reversal by a Mecklenburg County judge this month means plans for constructing the debris landfill next to the Oakdale neighborhood could be back on.
The latest developments are digging up old feelings and stress for homeowners.
"The stress was insurmountable," Dan Campbell said when looking back on his battle against plans for the landfill. His backyard is directly next to where the landfill would go.
In July, the city denied the landfill company’s request to put the site’s entrance on Kelly Road, which prevented the plans from moving forward.
"We were relieved, a weight was lifted off our shoulders," Campbell said.
However, a Mecklenburg County judge reversed that decision in February.
"When we learned that that decision was overturned without our knowledge, without seemingly any fight from the city, all of that stress came flooding back," Campbell said.
City rules no longer allow landfills in residential areas because of Oakdale’s predicament. However, the landowners behind Campbell’s house can still build one since their permit application was submitted before the rule change.
"All I can think about is big mountains of garbage and dump trucks behind my house 10 hours a day, six days a week," Campbell shared.
The judge’s order says evidence supports putting the entrance on Kelly Road since there are no other viable options. The order demands the city grant the company’s request.
Campbell hopes the city will appeal the decision and stop the landfill from becoming a reality.
WCNC Charlotte reached out to the landfill company’s attorney but has not heard back.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.