An appeal by B2G Compost owner Kate Wynn over Okanogan County’s requirement that she install a security fence around the compost facility is in limbo while the county researches who has jurisdiction over the appeal.
A hearing on the appeal was scheduled last week before Okanogan County Hearing Examiner Dan Beardslee. But Beardslee didn’t believe that he had the authority to hear the appeal of what he termed an administrative decision.
The hearing examiner can rule on quasi-judicial matters, whereas administrative matters are handled by county staff, Beardslee said. Administrative matters typically affect the general public, while quasi-judicial matters affect specific, identifiable parties.
Beardslee had questions about the status of the county’s permitting process, including the analysis of the compost facility under the State Environmental Policy Act.
The brief discussion in the hearing room ended with Wynn asking how to appeal the county’s decision. Wynn couldn’t be reached by press time.
B2G Compost plans to process fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, spent grains, wood chips and sawdust in aerated composting bins at the facility on Horizon Flats Road in Winthrop.
Okanogan County added the requirement for a wooden or slatted chain-link security fence around the compost facility after hearing public concerns about odor, noise and visual impacts.
