A bureaucratic loophole has allowed a controversial landfill in Winton Place to grow — eventually it could be four times larger than permits allow.

        That has neighbors of the Gray Road Landfill angrier than they've ever been in their yearslong fight to close it down.

        And it has City Council members raising questions and demanding answers at today's council meeting about oversight by building inspectors, environmental management, the municipal sewer district and other city departments.
       

No legal remedy

        “I am tremendously disappointed,” Councilman Todd Portune said during Tuesday's Neighborhood and Public Works Committee meeting. “How do we get from 820,000 cubic yards of fill to 3.3 million cubic yards? How does that happen?”

        The answer from building officials: Instead of applying for a permit, the business owner applied for “engineering changes” that do not require public hearings.

        Officials said that when they approved revised grading plans, they didn't realize it would be used to quadruple the landfill size.

        Now building officials say there is no legal remedy to stop the fill — which at 1.3 million cubic yards is already 500,000 cubic yards bigger than permits allow — from getting even bigger.

        “We need to fire some people,” said Councilman Charlie Winburn, who reiterated complaints about City Manager John Shirey and an apparent failure by those in charge. “We want resignations from top directors.”
       

Permits denied

        Last year, the council filed a motion to deny permits to expand the landfill. In response to citizen complaints, the council also asked: to reroute trucks delivering waste to the landfill from driving on Gray Road; to enforce zoning rules that prohibit operation of a trucking company in a residential area; and to work with community members.

        But residents say nothing has changed.

        “Imagine paying $130,000 for your house, and upgrading it and then having a dump in your back yard,” said Emanuel Marshall, a resident of Venetian Terrace subdivision. “It did slip by you, and it slipped on us.”

Tristate campaign cash flows steadily
Non-stadium issues debated
Race tension simmers at Amelia High
SAMPLES: Uncharmed
Crash kills longtime Southwest Ohio pilot
KKK seeks permit for Fountain Square cross
Laney targets Butler sheriff
Covington candidates to debate
Crack KOs ex-champ
CROWLEY: Anti-abortion leader on attack
Fairfield buys new siren system
Fairfield schools get new leader
Insurers' decisions awaited
Kenton to adjust payroll taxes
Ky. tax burden still above national average
Lakota levy called critical
Landfill loophole has city helpless
Lebanon makes promise to extend rail tracks
Lucas unveils political TV ads
Mason's anti-porn 'homework'
More Enquirer readers pick Bush in education survey
New sign-up method for magnet schools
Ohio board proposes more school funding
Panel sees problems in proficiency tests
Park chief: Ski lodge should be torn down
Secure living possible
Kentucky News Briefs
Tristate A.M. Report