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Planning commission tables Rev Solutions human‑waste composting proposal after neighbors raise odor, notice and contamination concerns
Summary
The commission voted to table a conditional‑use request from Rev Solutions to operate an enclosed composting facility at the cannery site; proponents said the process is dry and EPA/EPD‑tested but neighbors objected that notices omitted mention of human waste and raised odor and water concerns. Item returns Feb. 23.
The Jones County Planning and Zoning Commission on Monday tabled a conditional‑use request from Rev Solutions to operate an enclosed composting facility at 1664 Highway 22, citing community concerns and the commission’s desire for additional review and site visits.
Michael Koenig, representing Rev Solutions, described an enclosed, dry composting process that mixes biosolids with carbon material and uses aeration. Koenig said the company has operated for years in nearby counties and asserted the process produces "no smell" when managed properly. "There is no environmental impact on this whatsoever," he said, and offered testing records and facility tours.
Cannery owner Nick Cameron supported the proposal, saying he had cleaned the site and would only host the operation if it did not create environmental problems. Supporter Dustin Riley said mature composting done properly produces noxious‑odor‑free finished product and praised the environmental benefits.
But several adjacent property owners raised alarm. Linda Garrett, whose property borders the cannery, said the mailed notice did not make clear the operation would process human waste and asked whether odor controls like carbon scrubbers could be required. Melissa Bivens said the notice language and short public notice window left neighbors insufficient time to evaluate a proposal she described as potentially hazardous; she cited the Milwaukee Milorganite example as a cautionary tale.
Planning commissioners and staff asked detailed operational questions about testing, runoff, truck traffic and odor controls. Koenig said the process has testing protocols and Georgia EPD oversight, and that the material is handled dry and would be processed inside the building. Commissioners expressed a desire to visit existing Rev Solutions facilities and to allow more time for community review.
A commissioner moved to table the matter; the motion carried and the item was scheduled to return to the board on February 23 for further consideration.
