New Houses, Apartments to Overlook Old Landfill

Developers of San Juan Meadows plan to build 275 homes and 165 senior apartments overlooking the site of a landfill that closed 22 years ago.

The 135-acre project, approved by the City Council last week, is southeast of La Novia Avenue overlooking Interstate 5 and the San Juan Hills Golf Course.

It will surround the former Forster Canyon landfill, where developers plan to build park areas, a tot lot and bicycle trails.

The site was the principal repository for municipal trash and construction material from 1958 to March 1976, when the county closed it.

The trash was covered with about 3 feet of soil 22 years ago, but developers plan to spread another 3 feet of heavy clay-content soil on top of that.

Developers say they plan to begin final closure of the site this summer while simultaneously beginning to grade the surrounding area for homes.