Sunshine Canyon Landfill Gets 1-Month Operating Extension

The operator of Sunshine Canyon Landfill was given a one-month extension Wednesday to continue dumping in a southern area of the site, about one-third of a mile from homes in Granada Hills.

The Los Angeles City Council, which approved the extension, previously determined that the dump’s southern portion had nearly reached capacity and should be closed by Dec. 31. But the council left open the option for several extensions while officials for Browning-Ferris Industries, the dump’s owner, obtained permits to expand the landfill into a northern, more remote canyon.

Closure of the southern area would effectively shut down the dump because about 90% of the trash intake is buried there.

Councilman Hal Bernson has said he is willing to grant one or two extensions as long as company officials were making a good faith effort to correct zoning violations at the dump that included troubles with odor and litter. According to a city report, Browning-Ferris has corrected the violations.