Residents of Calgary's southeast neighbourhood of Ramsay are hopping mad that nothing has been done about the Lilydale chicken-processing plant smack dab in the middle of their community.

The residents are suing the company, citing complaints over noise levels, odour control, and improper waste storage including raw chicken parts and a 2009 ammonia spill that forced several residents to evacuate their homes.

They're being represented by Ecojustice, who is trying to get the factory to shape up or ship out.

"This plant interferes with the residents' ability to use and enjoy their property," said Barry Robinson, Ecojustice staff lawyer.

They're asking the court to order Lilydale to cease all night time trucking from the Hurst Road plant, limit odour pollution, and fully enclose the chicken waste bins.

Ramsay residents are seeking $250,000 in damages for loss of enjoyment of their properties as well as undisclosed damages for the 2009 leak.

Lilydale was charged by Alberta Environment on Sept. 8 in connection with the spill.

"Noise is the biggest issue for me," said resident Robin Tufts. "The 24-hour a day trucking noise - whirring engines, air brakes, honking horns, back-up alarms, trucks connecting to trailers - makes it impossible to get a restful night of sleep. I haven't been able to sleep with my window open for many years."

"It's difficult to invite guests over for a barbeque when you don't know if the plant is going to smell like a garbage dump or if you're going to find a chicken head in your backyard," added resident Todd Ford.

Residents are also upset with the city about the continued presence of Lilydale's chicken processing plant.

They say that the city should have enforced noise, nuisance, and zoning bylaws but haven't done so despite several requests.

Thanks to a grandfathering provision in the Municipal Government Act, Lilydale is allowed to operate its plant next to a residential area.

Earlier efforts led Alberta Health Services to order Lilydale to implement better waste storage methods in 2010, but local residents continue to have their lives disrupted by noise, odour and nuisance issues, making further legal action necessary.

Back in March, the proposed southeast LRT expansion meant that the plant would have to be moved, but the city has not progressed with any plans to acquire the property since then.

The city needs to acquire several other properties to finalize plans for the expansion, and it's unclear whether the $800M in provincial transit grants will cover the costs.