Emily Featherston
Neighbors were invited to Buffalo Rock's conference center for a meeting to discuss modifications the company will be making to its property.
Around 20 West Homewood residents attended a community meeting hosted by Buffalo Rock Company Thursday night to discuss modifications the company will be making to its property.
Homewood City Council President Bruce Limbaugh attended the meeting along with Ward 2 Council representative Fred Hawkins.
Media were not allowed in, and a Buffalo Rock representative said that they wished to share news with the community first. However, Limbaugh said afterward that the meeting was a follow up to a previous meeting about updates to the company’s five-year master plan, and how property modification would impact neighboring residents.
“It really seemed to be sensitive to the neighbors,” Limbaugh said.
He said representatives from Buffalo Rock discussed improvements in lighting that would angle lights away from adjacent houses, minimizing the impact on neighbors while still providing safety for Buffalo Rock employees.
Noise was also a concern, and Limbaugh said Buffalo Rock’s plans include multiple steps to reduce noise caused by the facility.
OSHA recently indicated that Buffalo Rock is not required to have reversing vehicles make a beeping noise—something Limbaugh said residents were hearing late into the night and early morning.
Additionally, the company plans to build structures and barriers that will reduce overall plant noise experienced by residents.
“There’s no question that they’re willing to spend money to make this compatible,” Limbaugh said.
Buffalo Rock representative Laura Lindsey said the company is continuing to work with neighbors to address various concerns.
“We have been engaging in a collaborative process with City Council members and neighbors listening and identifying areas where we can be of service,” she said in a statement on behalf of the company. “We look forward to continuing to work directly with our neighbors going forward.”
A post on the West Homewood Facebook page further outlined Buffalo Rock’s plans, detailing the company’s recent purchase of the Handy TV and Appliance building, which the company plans to use for surplus product storage. The post also said the company is working to move excess materials away from the neighborhood side of the plant in order to improve appearances.
Limbaugh said he saw a respectful attitude from both Buffalo Rock representatives and the residents that attended, and that he was appreciative of both.
“This was a really positive example of how neighbors and local business and community leaders can get together and have a truly transparent exchange of information,” he said.
As far as the odor problem in the West Homewood area, Limbaugh said those at the meeting agreed that the smell is not coming from Buffalo Rock, but most likely originates at Mayfield.
Limbaugh said Mayfield recently acquired new equipment to try to eliminate the odor, and that that equipment will go online on Saturday.
He said the odor is still a major priority for him and the council, and that if after Mayfield is given the opportunity to see if the new equipment will work, the council will address other options of dealing with the problem.
