Township terminates compost operations that caused bad odors

The Laketown Township Planning Commission on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, terminated the approval of a composting operation that has caused foul odors and forced nearby residents inside their houses to escape the smell.

The termination is effective immediately.

The commission unanimously revoked the 2016 agreement that allowed Cocoa Corp. composting to operate at 4368 60^th St. and recommended the township board enforce the termination. The planning commission does not have policing powers.

No representatives from Cocoa composting were present at the meeting that included a public hearing during which eight people described how the odor impacted their lives.

The township has documented more than 100 complaints since March 2025 about the odor.

The planning commission cited Cocoa’s failure to meet the guidelines in the planned unit development agreement, saying the composting operation has changed the character of the area and is not harmonious with the surrounding community, its operations are detrimental to the health of nearby residents, and that Cocoa has not provided the township with copies of its annual report as required. The commission also noted that Cocoa was cited by the state Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy on April 27, 2026, for foul odors.

The commission also asked the township board to renegotiate the overall planned unit development agreement that allows Republic Services to operate at the property between U.S. 31 and I-196.

Republic does not own the composting operation. Republic leases its property to Cocoa Corp. and filed a lawsuit in Allegan County Circuit Court last month to remove Cocoa from the Republic property.

“Republic Services strives to be a good neighbor,” Tom Mahoney Republic Services general manager, said during the Wednesday night meeting. “We share your frustration.”

Township officials toured the composting facility in October to see first-hand the source of the complaints. Township Manager Stephanie Fox has met with Republic, Cocoa and state officials about the issue.

The township sent a letter to Republic Services in March about the odor issue and the conditions in the 2016 planned unit development agreement that lists requirements and responsibilities of the operator.

Cocoa owner Adam Brent previously acknowledged strong odors do come from the composting material, especially when the windrows – large piles of compost material — are turned, which they must be by state law five times in a 15-day period. The material is turned Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. but not on weekends.

In the planned unit development documents, the company said it would cover the compost piles. The piles have not been covered.