All-Wood Complaints Delay Permit

All-Wood Products, a St. Paul, Minn., wood recycling company that has been the subject of noise and dust complaints has been given time to come up with a plan of action.

The company takes dead trees from contractors and homeowners and turns them into mulch and chips. Owner Gary Kurth went before St. Paul's zoning committee last week to ask for a conditional use permit for his business. But a neighboring company and a several area residents showed up to complain about noise and dust generated at the site.

The zoning committee postponed the matter to give Kurth time to address neighbors' concerns. He needs to come up with a plan that will "discuss what means he will take to ensure dust and odor and noise are contained within the property," said Rich Malloy, a city planner.

The issue should return to the zoning committee in mid-April or early May, Malloy said.

The zoning committee's action gives the West Side Citizens Organization time to gather information from citizens, said Andrea Specht, president of the WSCO board.

All-Wood sells its product to a company called Environmental Wood Supply, said Kurth.

Environmental Wood Supply provides wood for St. Paul Co-generation, a new facility that will burn the wood to produce heat and electricity. (St. Paul) Pioneer Press