HomeMy WebLinkAboutAGENDA REPORT 1991 0320 CC REG ITEM 11JPAUL W. LAWRASON JR.
Mayor
BERNARDO M. PEREZ
Va_.or Pro Tern
SCOT': MONTGOMERY
w- .cilmember
J&-iN E. WOZNIAK
C, :^cilmember
LILLIAN KELLERMAN
Cay Clerk
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MOORPARK ITEMII.J
r.400RPA1?K CALIfO 2N! 4 STEVEN KUENY
City Council Meeting City Manager
— 11 CHERYL J KANE
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M E M O R A N D U M
199 City Attorney
PATRICK RICHARDS, A.I.C.P.
49JLf' Director of
/ . Community Development
T JOHN F. KNIPE
City Engineer
JOHN V. GILLESPIE
Chief of Police
RICHARD T. HARE
City Treasurer
TO: The Honorable City Council
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FROM: Susan Cauldwell, Assistant to the City Manager
DATE: March 15, 1991
SUBJECT: Comments on Weldon Canyon Landfill EIR
The Bailard Landfill, which is owned and operated by the Ventura
Regional Sanitation District (VRSD) currently serves the western
wasteshed. The landfill received 1700 tons of refuse per day. The
permits to operate Bailard will expire in December, 1993, although
VRSD has applied for an extension to continue operations until
1996.
Waste Management of California is proposing to develop Weldon
Canyon into a Class III (nonhazardous) landfill to serve Ventura
County's western wasteshed. The 1985 County Solid Waste Management
Plan recommended Weldon Canyon as a potential landfill site. The
site is approximately 2.5 miles north of the City of Ventura and 5
miles south of the City of Ojai. The landfill, if sited, would
become operational in 1993 and most likely serve the Cities of
Ojai, Ventura, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and Camarillo.
The EIR appears to adequately address potential impacts of the
Weldon Canyon Landfill. In addition to numerous state requirements
for siting a landfill, the environmental impact report identifies
a large number of mitigation measures for the project including,
but not limited to reducing the site by 68 percent; creating a 2000
foot buffer around the site; implementing a gas recovery system;
building a soundwall; and limiting use of potable water.
Opposition from local environmental groups to the siting of a
landfill in Weldon Canyon has already materialized. Disenchantment
by the County of Ventura and certain west county cities with VRSDs
operation of waste facilities is well known. One possible scenario
is that the Bailard Landfill will close in 1993 and that operation
of the Weldon Canyon Landfill will. be delayed by court action. If
this occurs, refuse from the west county will most likely be
799 M:orpark Avenue Moorpark, California 93021 (805) 529 -6864
The Honorable City Council
March 15, 1991
Page 2
disposed of at the Simi Valley Landfill, which is also owned by
Waste Management. The Simi Valley Landfill is permitted to accept
up to 3,000 tons of waste per day. It currently receives about 900
tons per day. Thus, the 1700 tons of waste per day generated in the
west county would easily be accommodated at Simi Valley without any
changes to the landfill's existing permit.
The "no project" alternative acknowledges this scenario and notes
that increased truck trips will deteriorate air quality and
increase noise along the travel route. Precise information about
the number of trips or the amount of air and noise emissions is not
presented. It is likely that many, if not all, of the truck trips
will pass through Moorpark on their way to Simi Valley.
Staff is concerned about the impact to Moorpark if no alternative
to Bailard is developed to coincide with its closing. Moorpark
would be impacted by increased truck traffic and air and noise
emissions.
Staff from the City's Community Development Department has also
reviewed the draft EIR, and shares the concerns about the "no
project" alternative. They are aware of the ongoing political
dialogue among jurisdictions and private companies who would
potentially be involved in waste treatment facilities.
At its March 14 meeting, the Ventura County Waste Commission heard
a brief review of the draft EIR by county planning staff, and voted
to extend the period for written public comment 45 days beyond the
April 9 deadline. The Commission has set a special meeting for
April 3, to more fully discuss the draft EIR.
Staff Recommendation
Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the Mayor to send
a letter to Ventura County Resource Management Agency in support of
the 45 day public review extension and indicating the City's
concerns about local impacts if no disposal site for the west
county exists after 1993.
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