Council to Vote on Landfill Expansion

Both sides were gearing up Monday for today’s vote by the Los Angeles City Council on expansion of Sunshine Canyon Landfill in Granada Hills, with opponents sending out more than 10,000 fliers asking residents to lobby their council members.

The council is scheduled to take up the expansion proposal sometime after 10 a.m. in the council chambers at 200 N. Main St. in downtown Los Angeles.

The North Valley Coalition is planning to bus in dozens of opponents to expansion. During the last week, the coalition mailed campaign material to constituents of San Fernando Valley council members Joel Wachs, Laura Chick, Alex Padilla and Cindy Miscikowski.

“The neighborhood is extremely worried about the health concerns,” said Mary Edwards, a coalition leader. “They are also concerned about the truck traffic it will bring.”

Councilman Hal Bernson has fought against expansion of the dump into his north Valley district.

“We hope that we muster enough votes to deny it,” said Ali Sar, a spokesman for Bernson. “The evidence is there in terms of the impact on the community and its impact on health.”

However, Bernson faces long odds in persuading a majority of his colleagues to oppose the landfill, which supporters, and dump operator Browning Ferris Industries, say is essential to meet the trash-disposal needs of the city.

BFI spent $349,954 during the last 18 months on lobbyists for its project. The firm did not return calls for comment Monday.