Decision making over expanding the Coffin Butte landfill is being postponed about a month and a half – the dump’s operator, Republic Services, has submitted new material, as have the County’s own planners. New hearings have been set to consider all of that.
Likewise, a hearing has been added for new public testimony. Written testimony will now be accepted through July 3.
“The deadline to reach a decision on the application has been extended from August 11 to September 27. Republic Services requested and was granted a 47-day extension of the 150-day timeline. This is the second extension that has been granted,” said a Benton County release. “According to Benton County Code, the timeline for making land use decisions is 150 days. Applicants are allowed to request up to 215 additional days for the process, for a total of 365 days. This can come as multiple requests throughout the process, each one changing the end date. Republic Services’ first extension request was granted in January, extending the time prior to the start of the public hearing by 58 days.”
Here’s the schedule of deadlines and upcoming hearings:
Tuesday, June 17, 6 p.m. – virtual (Zoom)
Planning Commission meets to continue hearing to July 8.
Tuesday, June 24
Supplemental staff report issued. This report will include analysis of public testimony and supplemental material submitted by the applicant.
Thursday, July 3, 4 p.m.
Deadline to submit written testimony through online form and email (publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov). Written evidence can still be submitted in person at the public hearing or at the Community Development office: 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, second floor.
Tuesday, July 8, 6-9 p.m.
Public hearing before the Planning Commission continues with presentation of revised staff report and presentation of applicant update. If time permits, begin public verbal testimony on new evidence only. Attestants can submit written testimony on new evidence during the meeting.
Wednesday, July 9, 6 p.m.
Continue public testimony if needed.
Tuesday, July 22, 6 p.m.
Deliberations by Planning Commission. Open to the public, but no public comment will be heard.
Tuesday, Jul 29, 6 p.m.
Meeting to adopt final written decision and findings.
Republic Services requested and was granted the 47-day extension of the 150-day timeline. This is the second extension that has been granted.
Blasting Starts at Coffin Butte
In other landfill news, Republic Services says they will be doing some blasting at the dump as they prepare for construction.
“Coffin Butte Landfill this week began the next phase of construction on what will be known as disposal cell 6B, on the southwestern edge of the landfill, in the permitted area of the landfill commonly known as “The Quarry,”” said a release from Republic. “The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality approved the development plans for this section of Cell 6B on May 1. Coffin Butte Landfill estimates that there is about nine months of life remaining in the current disposal site, which is known as Cell 6A.”
According to the company, the buildout for Cell B requires grading and drainage, which is why they will be blasting.
“About a dozen residents near the site received phone calls on Wednesday notifying them of the upcoming work, which will occur during normal business hours. Blasting will occur between 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. on designated days for the next two to three months with approximately 12-16 events in total,” said the company’s release. “Each blast will last less than three seconds. Residents will hear an air horn five minutes prior, and again one minute prior to the blasting event.”
By Mike Suarez
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