Composting facility must shut down after Arizona residents report smelly odor [Video]

PHOENIX — Maricopa County officials announced Thursday that a composting facility in south Phoenix has agreed to cease operations.

Residents in the area reported detecting a foul odor and their complaints caught the attention of county regulators.

The county’s board of supervisors took legal action and the operators Growers Market have agreed to discontinue their operations. A settlement agreement has ordered the operators to remove all mulch-related material by March 1.

The business reportedly did not have the required special use permit to run a composting operation in this region of 35th Avenue and Dobbins Road.

“Look, I support small businesses and want to see them thrive,” County Supervisor Steve Gallardo said in a statement. “But when their operations start to affect the health and well-being of local residents, we have to get involved and put an end to it.”

The settlement order requires the operators to cease processing …