HOLLIS – A public hearing on the final application of Hollis Construction to operate a landscape materials yard on Depot Road is scheduled for Tuesday night.

In August, the Planning Board gave Douglas Orde permission to take the next step in his bid to open a landscaping materials yard on his property, formerly the site of a gravel pit operation.

The application has been controversial and loudly opposed by abutters who complained of noise and odors from the previous operation.

In his previous application to the Planning Board, Orde addressed neighbors’ concerns by reducing his operating hours, agreeing to employ Best Management Practices, including wind rows, and turning and adding water to control potential odors emanating from his compost pile.

The only issue Orde wasn’t able to resolve completely was the noise from tailgates slamming when trucks make deliveries.

About three years ago, Orde’s gravel pit operation was shut down by the town under a cease-and-desist order, after it gradually became a landscape materials yard.

Orde failed in his attempts to reverse the decision through a zoning ordinance and a court appeal. But he didn’t give up.

In 2010, he submitted a petition warrant article that voters at the Town Meeting rejected by 100 votes.

But last year, after further discussion, the Planning Board submitted its own warrant article, asking voters to allow anyone who wanted to operate a landscape materials yard to apply for a conditional use permit.

The article passed by a narrow margin, in spite of a concerted effort by opponents who distributed fliers across town targeting Orde.

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at Town Hall. This is the last step before the design review process begins.

Hattie Bernstein can be reached at 673-3100, ext. 24, or hberstein@cabinet.com.