CLARKESVILLE — The Habersham County Commission has given the owner of a Clarkesville recycling business until January to get into compliance with the restrictions of his business license.
William Webb of Webb’s Recycling on Diamond Avenue north of Clarkesville appeared during a public hearing on the revocation of the business license for Webb’s Recycling held during Monday night’s commission meeting.
Commissioners heard from county staff that the recycling facility, located in a low intensity residential district, is operating without a conditional use approval and has been the subject of complaints from a dozen people over the past decade.
Also, during that time County Code Enforcement Officer Sam Irvin has opened 10 different cases against Webb, citing him for accumulation.
Webb said he collects recyclables for more than 80 companies and businesses, including Habitat for Humanity. Additionally, Webb has been picking up the county’s electronics from the landfill and recycling centers for the past six or seven years and disposes of them at his expense.
“This is how I pay my bills,” Webb told commissioners during the public hearing. “This is how my workers pay their bills. We go all over this county and have been doing it for years. We pick up for elderly. We pick up for people that ain’t got a truck. We try to do our best we can to be a good citizen. My business never hurt no one.”
Webb said he collects 1.5 million to two million pounds of recyclables per year, and by regulatory requirements must get rid of at least 70 percent of what is taken in.
Environmental regulators have been on Webb’s property three times in the past two years and have approved the operation, he told commissioners.
Commissioner Stacy Hall said he is very hesitant to revoke a business license.
“The last thing I would ever want to do is take away a man’s livelihood,” Hall said. “That’s in a different class by itself. You just don’t do that without very, very, very good reason.”
Hall said the best way for Webb to handle the matter is to become compliant with the business license. He also asked Webb what assurances the commission could have that after 10 years any violations on the property will be ultimately resolved.
“I’m not trying to be ugly,” Hall told Webb. “I’m trying to save your business. I don’t want to take your license away, but you have to be compliant!”
Webb said he would complete the county-suggested privacy fence around the property, keep all materials on his property and off the adjacent property of his employee, keep the property neat and orderly, and bring in containers to keep items off the ground.
There was discussion about whether the county ordinance requires all recyclables to be kept inside a building, or if a fence will suffice. County staff said because of the district where the business is located and the fact it isn’t grandfathered the materials should be kept inside a building.
Webb’s neighbors showed up in force to support his business, saying he is a hardworking man and his business doesn’t bother them.
At least three of those who spoke during the public hearing said their business would be affected if Webb’s business license was revoked.
“I own a small appliance business down the road,” Herman Smith told commissioners. “When I have overload scrap, I need people like William.”
Commissioners agreed they take very seriously the decision that possibly would take a man’s livelihood but stressed they don’t want to see the facility continue to be a compliance issue that requires county staff involvement going forward.
Commission Chairman Victor Anderson made a motion to table action on the business license revocation until the commission’s January meeting to allow Webb time to construct a privacy fence to county specifications, and to determine whether Webb’s use of the property requires a conditional use.
The motion to table passed 4-1 with Commissioner Andrea Harper voting against the extra time.
Prior to the vote, Harper argued that Webb has exhibited a pattern of cleaning up the property after an enforcement action then allowing the problem to return.
