Chiquita Canyon Dump Expansion Likely

The Los Angeles County Regional Planning Commission on Monday unanimously indicated its intent to approve expansion of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, although on a more limited basis than sought by the dump’s operator.

The expansion vote disappointed anti-dump activists from the tiny community of Val Verde, just over the ridgeline from the landfill, who sought to close the landfill altogether, complaining about odors and traffic.

But the commissioners also stopped short of providing all that was requested by the dump’s operator, Laidlaw Waste Systems Inc.

The giant waste disposal firm had sought to keep the landfill, located about three miles northeast of Santa Clarita, operating indefinitely with a 30-million-ton limit. The commission indicated it will approve a 10-year conditional-use permit with an 18-million-ton limit.

Under the outlines requested by the commission, Laidlaw would continue to accept about 5,000 tons of trash per day. It had requested approval for 10,000 tons per day, said John Schwarze, a county zoning administrator.

Although not the final word on the matter, the decision was critical in that it indicated the commission’s leanings on the controversial expansion.

“It basically means that they’ve made their decision,” Schwarze said.

The proposal will probably be appealed ultimately to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Activists had lobbied county officials and begged the city of Santa Clarita to take a stand against the Chiquita dump.

Santa Clarita has actively sought to prevent the creation of a 190-million-ton landfill in nearby Elsmere Canyon, about one-third of a mile from the city’s boundaries, but was divided on the Chiquita issue. Some civic and business leaders supported the landfill and its operating record. Many Santa Clarita environmental activists were also preoccupied with the larger battle against Elsmere.

That left activists like Merry Farmer, chairwoman of Citizens Against the Chiquita Canyon Landfill Expansion, largely on their own. Farmer took news of the commission’s vote on Monday with resignation.

“It’s not what the community wanted, but it’s better than what Laidlaw originally proposed,” Farmer said.

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But Farmer and other community activists said they would continue to fight the project through the process and later as it goes to the Board of Supervisors.

Laidlaw was given 60 days to supply information for a final environmental impact report for the landfill that currently occupies 154 acres of the 592-acre canyon located in an unincorporated part of Los Angeles County.

Rodney Walter, the general manager of the facility who has been fighting for expansion since 1989, seemed plainly relieved by the commission’s action.

“It shows a good vote of confidence,” he said.