County approves C&D permit

On Thursday, the Board of County Commissioners approved Suncoast Concrete's permit to operate a seven-acre construction and demolition landfill facility in East Milton.

Because of environmental concerns, some commissioners reluctantly voted the approval. However, the vote was more "judicial" than "legislative," as the Suncoast attorney observed, since the county must give the permit if an applicant meets all county ordinances.

Nonetheless, the vote was not unanimous. Commissioner Bob Cole voted "no," with Commissioner Lane Lynchard abstaining because of potential conflict of interest.

For an hour, approximately approximately a half dozen concerned citizens expressed doubts about the facility's possible effects on the environment, mostly wells that supply the east and south portions of the county.

Suncoast sent to the microphone almost as  many representatives, including their attorney,  both to allay fears and to reiterate that the Board must accept on procedural grounds.