Controversial Haines City composting facility to stay closed

Resident Katrina Dowdy wishes someone with a camera had been standing outside City Hall following the City Commission’s vote to close a composting facility so that the smile on her father’s face could have been recorded for history.

The controversial BCR Environmental composting plant will not reopen.

Dowdy, her father, Norman Mathews, and other residents have gone before the commission numerous times to complain about the stench and other problems emanating from the composting facility that is near their homes in eastern Haines City.

“I know our commissioners fought like hell to help us out,” Dowdy said. “I appreciate everything they’ve done, and I respect what they’ve done.”

The commission voted 3-0 Thursday night for a settlement agreement that will shutter for good the facility on East Park Road that processes human waste and other material into soil.