Council to Consider Landfill Expansion Today

Both sides were gearing up Monday for a Los Angeles City Council vote today on the 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 Street in downtown Los Angeles.

The North Valley Coalition is planning to bus in dozens of opponents to the expansion. During the last week, the coalition has 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.”

Bernson faces long odds, however, in persuading a majority of his colleagues to oppose the landfill, which supporters say is essential to meet the trash disposal needs of the city.

Browning Ferris Industries, which operates the dump, has spent $349,954 during the last 18 months on lobbyists for its project. The firm did not return calls for comment Monday.