Maricopa County sues to shut down smelly Phoenix mulching operation

PHOENIX – Maricopa County is taking legal action to shut down a smelly Phoenix mulching operation.

The lawsuit against Growers Market was filed on Wednesday, a week after the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors approved litigation.

Growers Market has been running a Phoenix mulching operation under the name Arizona Green Guys at 3100 W. Dobbins Road in Laveen Village without a proper special use permit, the county alleges.

Meanwhile, residents have been complaining for months about the stench coming from the site.

Why supervisor takes Phoenix mulching operation complaints personally

District 5 Supervisor Steve Gallardo experienced the odor firsthand.

“I coach a baseball team on a field 2 miles from this business and the odor is overwhelming,” Gallardo said in a press release Thursday. “The county received hundreds of complaints and inspected the property many times. It is time for the business to wrap up and move to a more appropriate area.”

The county warned the property owners about their zoning violation in September. Then at a Nov. 5 hearing, the business was ordered to cease and desist immediately — with daily fines of $75 — and vacate the property by March 10, 2025.

However, residents reported that the Phoenix mulching operation continued and new materials were brought onto the property after the hearing.

“Businesses are welcome near residential areas, but their economic endeavors shouldn’t jeopardize the quality of life of their neighbors,” Gallardo said.

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