Biosolid facility denied

The Culpeper Planning Commission at last night’s meeting denied a use permit request by Recyc Systems to build a biosolids storage facility in the Elkwood area of the county.

The commission’s recommendation will now go before the board of supervisors, who have the final say on the issue.

The local company proposed constructing two 100x200 open-ended storage structures and its offices at property purchased off Route 673, about half a mile off U.S. 29. Nearly all community members that spoke at the meeting voiced opposition to the proposal, with concerns including the odor of the facility, depreciating property values, battlefields in the area, truck traffic and environmental reasons primarily focused on the nearby Rappahannock River.

“I see public welfare as the loser in this case,” said commission member, Frank Toomey. Commission chairman, Sanford Reaves, framed the problem best—“Location is very important and nobody wants it in their own backyard.” He added that he believes there are other places in the county where there will be less impact on traffic safety and property owners.

The lone member that voted to approve the request, David Lowery, said he believes the request is a legitimate claim.

“If not here where?” said Lowery. “It’s not a scoring game, it’s what the code says, the ordinance says.”

County planning director, John Egertson, said that his office believes the permit request to be a qualified application.

“I ask that the applicant be provided ample time to present their case,” said Egertson, while explaining the request to the commission. “They have carefully listened to people looking for a site meeting their needs and the community’s needs.”

Recyc Systems president, Steve Foushee, said that the domed building would be tall enough for trucks to dump loads inside the facility.

“Everything will be contained on the inside of the building,” said Foushee. He said that breathable screens on the open ends of the structure would help to mitigate the smell and prevent water or snow entering the facility. He conceded odors are strongest when the material is wet. Vice president, Susan Trumbo, emphasized that they followed stringent Department of Environmental Quality regulations, when designing.

“Any water, any fluids, any material within the biosolids, we’re going to have to manage that inside the building,” said Trumbo. “Dry biosolids have relatively no odor.” In addition, she said that the facilities being 750’ from the property boundaries and the surrounding woods would act as a buffer for the smell.

In the end, the company could not convince residents that live near the property. Several adjoining property owners spoke in opposition, many of which said Recyc Systems had never contacted them about plans to build a facility in the area.

Michael Horst, an adjoining property owner, said, “This is probably going to devalue my property.” He added that he has tenants on his property and that “I’m a little concerned about the odor for my tenants.”

Another concern of those that spoke was the fragile nature of the tarp material that would be the cover for the facility.

“We all agree that the weather has made some drastic changes in the past 10 years,” said Paul Bates, whose extended family lives in Elkwood. “Let’s not jeopardize these people who have had farms here for 50 years.”

Piedmont Environmental Council land use officer, Brian Higgins, said the proposal is contrary to the county’s comprehensive plan.

“There is no known approach that can effectively eliminate the odor,” said Higgins. He pointed out that soil in the area has a low infiltration and that spills would end up in the river.

According to Sandra Stevens, CEO of Virginia Conservation Easement Consulting, she had previously been hired to qualify the property for historic tax breaks.

“The proposed parcel is the site of four significant battlefields that converge there,” said Stevens. She said the battles include the first and second Battles of Rappahannock Station, the Battle of Brandy Station and the Battle at Kelly’s Ford.

Strewn amongst the opposition, a few supported Recyc Systems request.

“I feel like they are going to need a facility, but I do feel like they’ll do what’s proper,” said Jack Inskeep, who lives in the area.