Township staff recommends closing compost operations

Laketown Township staff is recommending composting operations that have created foul smells in the community be shut down.

The township planning commission will have the final say after a public hearing set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at the township hall, 4338 Beeline Road.

After the public hearing, the planning commission could consider modifying the agreement, terminating it, or continuing the special land use.

Michelle Sall, Laketown Township Community Development Director, in a report to the planning commission dated May 21, 2026, recommended approval be revoked for the Cocoa Corp. composting operations within the planned unit development managed by Republic Services.

The planned unit development – a PUD – is a special set of agreements that allow a combination of buildings, open space, and activities to occur in an area where zoning might otherwise not allow the use.

Sall cited more than 150 staff hours for collecting and responding to more than 100 complaints of bad odors from March 2025 to present, the multiple efforts by Manager Stephanie Fox to resolve the complaints, and a state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy violation dated April 27, 2026. The composting activity has not been operated in a manner harmonious to the area, as required by the agreement adopted Dec. 7, 2016, she wrote.

Residents have been complaining for the last 2 to 3 years about increased odors from Cocoa Corp., a composting operation on Republic’s property, 4368 60^th St. between the I-196 and U.S. 31 overpasses.

The township has forwarded those complaints to EGLE.

The public hearing

On June 3, the chairperson of the planning commission will call the public hearing to order and ask anyone in the meeting room to come to the podium, state their name and address and speak into the microphone for up to 3 minutes about the topic. After everyone in the room has spoken, the chairperson will then ask if anyone on Zoom would like to speak.

Those on Zoom should unmute themselves or turn on their video. The chairperson will acknowledge you. State your name and address and speak for up to 3 minutes.

All comments should be addressed to the chairperson.

Email comments may be sent to office@laketowntwp.org, attention planning commission.

Written comments may be sent to Laketown Township Planning Commission, 4338 Beeline Road, Holland, MI 49423.

All correspondence must be received by 4 p.m. June 3 to be considered for the public hearing.