Gaston/Denali composting facility

Pastor of Progressive Union Missionary Baptist Church urged the board to stand firm against the composting facility, citing environmental risks to the 150-year-old church and Fessenden Elementary.

Argued nothing has changed since June's denial; the unlined, uncovered windrows sit in the secondary springs protection zone and threaten groundwater for families on wells and 430 schoolchildren.

Business partner of Fessenden Elementary argued a rehearing only benefits the applicant, sets a bad precedent rewarding litigation threats, and asked the board to give the application 'the proper burial it deserves.'

Said the windrows remain outdoors and nothing has changed; the SUP process exists to protect homes, schools, churches and farms exactly like her community.

Called the proposed conditions reactive instead of preventative, asked why odor and wastewater protections aren't required up front, and urged the board to end it today.

Attorney for the Gastons and Denali said her clients made major concessions — enclosing the depackaging machine — and noted the erroneous notice mix-up, urging the board to delay its vote to 2 p.m.

Repeated his opposition in the afternoon session: no benefit to the county in a rehearing, bad precedent, and the applicant failed its burden of proof in June.

A nearby property owner and business owner worried there's no remedy for the smell, rodents, and flies — and that no judge would allow this so close to an elementary school.

Adjacent property owner flagged the two-date notice mix-up and said the depackaging deal might work but it's in the wrong place.