Benton County and Republic Services Continue Dialogue About Conditional Use Permit Application
Republic Services, parent company of Valley Landfills Inc., continues to work toward Completion on a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application for its Coffin Butte landfill. Company representatives met this week with planning officials from Benton County to discuss the application.
Republic first submitted the CUP application to Benton County on July 19, 2024. In reviewing it, the Planning Division of Benton County Community Development determined that more detailed technical reports and a broader spatial analysis were required to assess the existing conditions and potential impacts of landfill operations. The application was deemed Incomplete.
A revised application was submitted on Oct. 30, 2024. It contains substantial additional information, but some points still require clarification. The County and Republic Services came together in a virtual Zoom meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 11, to discuss additional narrative detail to support the application.
The County believes Completeness will be reached within the 180 days from initial application date that are provided by Benton County Code 51.535. See the timeline below for more information.
Application Timeline
July 19, 2024
Republic Services submits a CUP application, starting the clock on the 180 days allowed to reach Complete status by Benton County Code 51.535. This sets the ultimate deadline for a Complete application as Jan. 15, 2025.
After submission, Benton County has 30 days to respond to the applicant.
Aug. 16, 2024
After careful review by the Benton County Planning Division and an independent consultant, the County sends an Incompleteness Letter to Republic Services. It explains the deficiencies in the application.
Oct. 30, 2024
Republic Services submits a revised CUP that contains substantial additional information, including technical reports and analysis.
Dec. 11, 2024
After careful review by the Benton County Planning Division and an independent consultant, the County meets with Republic Services through Zoom to discuss the application, requesting additional narrative detail about some of the exhibits submitted.
Jan. 15, 2025
Deadline for Republic Services to supply the requested information to Benton County in order to satisfy application requirements.
If the application is deemed Complete, the County will provide a timeline of the process for review, public input, and application consideration. Complete applications go before the Benton County Planning Commission — an appointed body that approves how landowners use their property and advises County officials on complex decisions.
If the application is still Incomplete on this date, Republic Services will have to start over with an entirely new application.
What is a Conditional Use Permit?
A Conditional Use Permit requires discretionary approval from a municipality. It is a zoning exception that allows property to be used in a way not typically permitted within the designated zone. This permit ensures that proposed developments align with the community’s zoning regulations and land use plan.
The CUP requested by Republic Services would allow the company to build additional landfill cells on land the company owns. Modern landfills are divided into multiple cells within the larger landfill property. The “working face” of the Coffin Butte landfill – the actual area where waste is being disposed – is less than ½ acre at any given time. As a cell fills it is capped, and the working face moves to a new cell.
Unrelated to the CUP application, Republic applied to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality to renew an air quality permit. This permit sets a limit on the output of greenhouse gasses – like carbon dioxide and methane – that are allowed. A virtual public hearing about the proposed renewal of the Title V air permit will be held on Jan. 6, 2025 (Please note: Benton County has been informed that the public hearing is being postponed from Dec. 17, 2024, but as of this writing the DEQ website has not yet been updated to reflect the change).