The public hearing process on Republic Services’ proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill will continue through the end of July with Benton County officials scheduling additional meetings to accommodate public interest in the project.
The Benton County Planning Commission initially scheduled three days of hearings in late April and early May for the landfill expansion proposal. However, the volume of public testimony has forced officials to extend the process significantly with the final decision now pushed back to late July.
The expanded schedule includes a virtual meeting at 6 p.m. June 17 followed by presentation of a supplemental staff report on June 24 that will analyze public testimony and additional materials submitted by Republic Services.
The deadline for written public comment has been extended and can be submitted until 4 p.m. July 3 online through the county’s public comment system, emailed to publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov or delivered in person to the Community Development office (Kalapuya Building, second floor).
The hearing will resume July 8 with the revised staff report and an updated presentation from Republic Services. The public hearing is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. and if time permits, public verbal testimony will begin on new evidence only. Also, those in attendance can submit written comments on new evidence during the meeting.
Public testimony will then continue at 6 p.m. July 9, if needed, with the Planning Commission scheduled to begin deliberations at 6 p.m. July 22. A final written decision with possible adoption is expected July 29 at a 6 p.m. meeting.
The decision deadline has been extended from Aug. 11 to Sept. 27 after Republic Services requested and received a 47-day extension. It was the second extension granted for the project, following a 58-day extension approved in January.
Under Benton County code, land-use decisions must typically be made within 150 days, though applicants can request up to 215 additional days for a maximum total of 365 days.
Most meetings will take place at Benton County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, with the exception of the June 17 virtual session.
The Coffin Butte Landfill expansion has generated significant community interest with residents raising various concerns. The facility currently serves the mid-Willamette Valley region.
Complete information about the proposal and hearing documents are available at bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill.