***Español a continuación***

Be prepared – winter weather conditions expected this week.

Low temperatures continue in the Willamette Valley, with temperatures as low as 19 degrees on Tuesday night. Snow and freezing rain are expected beginning Wednesday night, February 12, and continuing through Friday, February 14.

These conditions could bring an inch of snow and up to half an inch of accumulated freezing rain and ice. All community members are encouraged to prepare for icy roads and possible power outages.

Benton County recommends:

• Do not go outside your home unless absolutely necessary. Even a short walk to the mailbox can lead to a slip-and-fall injury.
• Avoid driving in icy conditions whenever possible. If you must travel, slow down and use caution while driving. Have an emergency plan and keep supplies in your vehicle.
• Check regularly for updates on road and school closures to avoid unnecessary trips.
• Have extra food and water, supplies, medications, and batteries ready at home.
• Keep all electronic devices and battery packs charged in case of power outage.

Resources

Read ODOT’s tips for driving in snow and ice.

Visit weather.gov/ for weather updates.

For road conditions, visit tripcheck.com/ or call 511.

Warming Centers

Daytime warming centers are available throughout Benton County as long as power is available. Warming centers are indoor heated facilities that are free for members of the public to access during designated hours. Many of these locations also have pet crates available.

Learn more: Hours & contact information for day-time warming centers in Benton County.

###

This document is available in alternative formats and languages upon request. Please contact pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

 ———————-

Español

Advertencia de clima invernal para el condado de Benton

Prepárese: Se esperan condiciones climáticas invernales esta semana en el Condado de Benton

Las bajas temperaturas continúan en el valle de Willamette, con temperaturas de hasta 19 grados Fahrenheit el martes por la noche. Se espera nieve y lluvia helada a partir del miércoles por la noche el 12 de febrero, hasta el viernes 14 de febrero.

Estas condiciones podrían provocar una pulgada de nieve y hasta media pulgada de lluvia helada y hielo. Se recomienda a todos los miembros de la comunidad que se preparen para el hielo en las carreteras y los posibles cortes de energía.

El Condado de Benton recomienda:

• No salga de su casa a menos que sea absolutamente necesario. Incluso una caminata corta hasta el buzón puede provocar una lesión por un resbalón y una caída.
• Evite conducir en condiciones de hielo siempre que sea posible. Si debe viajar, reduzca la velocidad y tenga cuidado al conducir. Tenga un plan de emergencia y mantenga suministros en su vehículo.
• Verifique regularmente las actualizaciones sobre los cierres de carreteras y escuelas para evitar viajes innecesarios.
• Tenga alimentos y agua adicionales, suministros, medicamentos y baterías listas en casa.
• Mantenga todos los dispositivos electrónicos y paquetes de baterías cargados en caso de un corte de energía.

Recursos

Lea los consejos de ODOT para conducir en nieve y hielo.

Visite weather.gov para obtener actualizaciones del clima.

Para conocer las condiciones de la carretera, visite tripcheck.com o llame al 511.

Centros de calentamiento

Hay centros de calentamiento disponibles durante el día en todo el Condado de Benton, siempre y cuando haya energía eléctrica. Los centros de calentamiento son instalaciones en interiores con calefacción, a las que el público puede ir gratis durante las horas designadas. Muchos de estos lugares también tienen disponibles jaulas para mascotas.

Obtenga más información: Horarios e información de contacto de los centros de calentamiento durante el día en el Condado de Benton.

###

Este documento está disponible en formatos e idiomas alternativos. Por favor contacte pioinfo@bentoncountyor.gov.

Republic Services has submitted supplemental information for its Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application to Benton County. The CUP application was received by Jan. 15, 2025, meeting the deadline required by Benton County Code. 

The pre-application drafts are available online in their entirety through Munidocs. The supplemental material submitted on January 15 can be viewed and downloaded from the Benton County website. A printed copy of the application is also available for viewing in the Community Development Department on the second floor at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

The CUP pre-application, submitted on July 19, 2024, was deemed Incomplete. In accordance with County Code 51.535(1), Republic Services had 180 days from the submission of the preapplication to submit revisions and provide additional documentation to reach Completeness. A revised application was submitted to the County on Oct. 30, 2024.

Representatives from Republic Services met with the County Planning Division in December 2024 to discuss points of clarification and additional narrative detail needed to reach Completion. Dialogue between permit applicants and the County is a standard part of the land use application process and does not occur in public meetings. 

The latest application revision is now being reviewed for Completeness by County Planning Officials and an independent consultant. If it is deemed Complete, the County will provide a process timeline, public comment period, and tentative public hearing date(s) before the Benton County Planning Commission. County Code dictates that this process, including appeals, be completed within 150 days, putting the end date in June 2025.

Learn more about the land use application process on the County’s website: cd.bentoncountyor.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/BC_LUAppProcess-Quasi-judicial_final_06-25-24.pdf

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).