Clark County, Wash., commissioners rejected a proposed construction-debris landfill that has been in Clark County's planning system since January 1989. The decision was made Aug. 28.
Deputy Prosecutor Rich Lowry, however, cautioned the board that the case may be appealed to Clark County Superior Court, where a judge could uphold the decision or remand it to the county for addition consideration.
East County Reclamation of Camas had proposed building a recycling center on the floor of a partially mined gravel pit, immediately east of Vancouver's city limits.
With an average depth about 60 feet below adjacent streets, the landfill was to take tree stumps, broken lumber, plaster board and other debris from construction and land clearing for the next half-century. Wet household garbage would have been banned.
State law requires that surface mines be restored -- in some cases, filled in -- after excavation ends.
Commissioner Betty Sue Morris said she was bothered because the proposed solid-waste permit would be for 50 years, tying up land-use planning in the area for decades. The normal planning period is 20 years.
The board expressed concern because the area has experienced unexpectedly fast growth, changing the nature of a neighborhood that was rural in 1989 when the proposal was first made. Two new schools, a large church and numerous residential subdivisions have been built, and a community shopping center has been announced for the corner property the landfill would have wrapped around. The Oregonian