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September 16, 2025 in News

Benton County announces dates for public hearing on appeal of landfill decision

Benton County has scheduled a public hearing before the Board of Commissioners for the appeal of the decision to deny expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The hearing will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 22 with a planned continuance on Thursday, Oct. 23, from 5:30-10 p.m. at the Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street in Corvallis. 

The County’s Planning Commission denied Republic Services’ application to expand the landfill in a decision adopted on July 29. The applicant filed an appeal of that decision on Aug. 12. Appeals of Planning Commission decisions are heard by the Board of Commissioners.  

The hearing will include presentations by the County’s Planning Division and the applicant, followed by verbal public testimony and a final rebuttal by the applicant.   

The full schedule is expected to be as follows. These dates are subject to change with notice. Check the County’s website for the latest schedule.  

Wednesday, Oct. 15 
Expected date for County to publish a staff report considering evidence submitted by the applicant and public since the start of the appeal 

Wednesday, Oct. 22, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
First day of public hearing: presentations by the County and the applicant followed by the start of verbal public testimony  
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis 

Thursday, Oct. 23, 5:30 – 10 p.m. 
Second day of public hearing: verbal public testimony concludes; applicant rebuttal; deadline to submit written testimony 
Location: Benton County Fairgrounds Auditorium, 110 SW 53rd Street, Corvallis 

Tuesday, Nov. 4, 1 p.m. 
Deliberations and decision by Board of Commissioners 
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis 

Monday, Nov. 17, 9 a.m. 
Board of Commissioners adopts final written decision  
Location: Kalapuya Building, 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis 

Virtual participation in all meetings will be available through an online meeting platform. Links to register for and view meetings will be available soon.  

Verbal testimony 

Anyone can sign up to give two minutes of verbal testimony on new evidence regardless of their participation in the earlier Planning Commission hearing. The time has been set at two minutes per person because of the condensed timeline of the hearing and the large number of interested parties who wish to be heard. 

Registration for verbal testimony will open at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 15. Instructions and a link to a sign-up form will be distributed and posted to the County website closer to that date.   

Written testimony 

Written evidence and testimony are already being accepted and will be collected until the hearing record is closed by the chair of the Board of Commissioners, which will not be before the hearing ends on Oct. 23.  

There are four ways to submit written testimony:  

  • Through the testimony submission form on the County’s website. Please note that the form does not allow for attachments. To submit testimony with an attachment, use the email address above. 
  • Mailed to Board of Commissioners Office, P.O. Box 3020, Corvallis, OR 97339. Mailed submissions must be received by 5 p.m. on the day the record closes — the postmark will not be taken into consideration. 
  • Hand delivered to Board of Commissioners Office (suite 100) in the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis 

Written testimony can also be submitted in person at the hearing. A testimony table will be set up at the hearing location, opening one hour before the hearing and closing at the end of the session. 

Public record 

In preparation for the hearing to begin on Oct. 22, the Board of Commissioners is reviewing all documents in the public record of the Planning Commission hearing. Minutes and recordings from the hearing, along with all submitted materials, are part of that record.  

The LU-24-027 Public Record is now available on the County’s website. It replaces the record maintained on the MuniDocs platform during the Planning Commission hearing. All documents from MuniDocs are included, with these improvements: 

  • Many duplicate documents have been removed. 
  • Individuals who made multiple submissions on the same date will see a combined document for that date.
  • Attachments to emailed submissions are included within each document, rather than linked out.
  • All documents are keyword searchable. 
  • Documents can be indexed by search engines. 

The public record also includes new evidence submitted for the Board of Commissioners hearing. Applicant submissions and written public testimony are found below the Planning Commission record under the heading “Board of Commissioners de novo Record.” New submissions are uploaded to the record every Wednesday and Friday.  

For more information about the appeal hearing and instructions for giving written or verbal testimony, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill. 

August 13, 2025 in News

Republic Services files appeal of Planning Commission decision to deny expansion of Coffin Butte Landfill

The Benton County Planning Division has received an appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision to deny LU-24-027, the application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. The applicant, Republic Services, filed the appeal with the County on Tuesday, August 12.

The Planning Commission adopted the decision on Tuesday, July 29, opening a 14-day window in which any party could file an appeal to be heard before the Benton County Board of Commissioners.

Along with the appeal, the applicant requested a 60-day extension of the process, which was granted by the County. This gives all parties more time to fully consider evidence both before and after the public hearing. Prior to the extension, September 27 was the deadline to complete the quasi-judicial land use application process. The new deadline is November 26.

A public hearing before the Board of Commissioners will be scheduled for late October and announced as soon as date, time and location are finalized.

Virtual participation in the meetings will be provided through Zoom. Once hearing dates are set, those interested can visit the County website to register for Zoom meetings.

Ex parte communication rules regarding direct communication with the Benton County Commissioners remain in effect. As such, written testimony should be submitted to landfillappeals@bentoncountyor.gov or via the three other identified avenues on our website.

For more forthcoming information about the appeal hearing and instructions for giving written or verbal testimony, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill or sign up as an interested party on our website.

August 1, 2025 in News

Severe weather grounds Van Halen tribute; local band to headline at Benton County Fair

Benton County announces a change in the main stage lineup for Friday, August 1. Completely Unchained, the Van Halen tribute band scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m., is unable to appear. Local band The Raven Kings will fill the headliner spot, with Skynny Lyzyrd as the opening act.

Concerts and rodeos are included in the cost of Fair admission.

The Raven Kings won the Battle of the Bands competition held at the Fair on Thursday, and Skynny Lyzyrd was the runner-up. As winners, The Raven Kings were expecting to play on August 1 at 7 p.m. to open for Completely Unchained. When fair organizers found out late Thursday night that the scheduled musicians would not be able to get to Corvallis in time to perform, they extended an invitation to The Raven Kings to take the headliner spot.

“Both of the bands were thrilled at the opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Fair, and we’re happy to turn this into a paying gig for them,” said Jesse Ott, the County’s director of Natural Areas Parks & Events. “We’re excited to support local musicians, and the crowd at Battle of the Bands really liked them.”

The Raven Kings are a heavy blues and rock band based in Salem, Ore. They play covers and original songs, so Ott says, “There will probably be some Van Halen covers in their set Friday night. Fans who were looking forward to hearing Completely Unchained should still consider turning out.”

Co-lead singer Ish Phoenix shared the band’s enthusiasm about the change in lineup. “With a heart full of gratitude, I am beyond excited to get the opportunity to play the Main Stage at the Benton County Fair & Rodeo with The Raven Kings. There is nothing better than turning music into memories.”

The members of Completely Unchained were stranded in an airport when all flights out of the Washington, D.C. area were grounded on July 31 by thunderstorms and flash flooding along the Eastern seaboard.

The 2025 Benton County Fair continues through Saturday, August 2. Find more information at bentoncountyfair.net.

July 31, 2025 in News

Planning Commission adopts decision to deny landfill expansion application

The Benton County Planning Commission met on July 29 to adopt their findings of fact and conclusions of law, finalizing their decision to deny LU-24-027 — Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. After about an hour of discussion on the document, the members of the Planning Commission voted unanimously to adopt the final written decision.

The Planning Commission had already met on July 22 to deliberate and come to a decision following more than 20 hours of presentations and verbal testimony by Benton County Planning Division staff, consultants, the applicant and community members in a series of in-person meetings that began on April 29. The July 22 meeting lasted nearly four hours.

The Planning Commission also received and reviewed thousands of pages of application materials, reports, exhibits and written public testimony and evidence.

Following the close of deliberations on July 22, the County created a final written document containing findings of fact and conclusions of law.

Before adopting the document on July 29, Planning Commission members discussed and voted on corrections. According to the quasi-judicial land use application process, only minor changes like corrections could be made without reopening deliberations. A motion to reopen deliberations, which would have extended the process, was made but not seconded, so deliberations remained closed during the meeting.

All parties have 14 days from the date of final decision (July 29) to file an appeal. The appeal deadline is 5 p.m. (close of business) on Tuesday, August 12. An appellant is charged the full cost to the County of the appeal, starting with a $5,000 deposit due when the appeal is filed. Appeals are heard by the Benton County Board of Commissioners.  

Learn more

July 25, 2025 in News

Planning Commission to meet virtually on July 29

The Benton County Planning Commission will meet virtually on July 29 at 6 p.m. to adopt the decision and findings on LU-24-027, Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. Community members can view the meeting through Zoom. Those who wish to watch the virtual proceedings in a County location can go to the Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis.

The Planning Commission met July 22 for deliberations. Following nearly four hours of opening statements and discussion, the seven participating Commission members voted unanimously to deny the application.

The County is creating a final written decision document including findings and justification for the decision. The Planning Commission will reconvene on July 29 at 6 p.m. in a Zoom meeting room to adopt the written decision and findings, making the decision final.

The public hearing on LU-24-027 began on April 29. In total, the Planning Commission heard more than 20 hours of presentations and verbal testimony by Benton County Planning Division staff, consultants, the applicant and community members. The Commission also received and reviewed thousands of pages of application materials, reports, exhibits and written public testimony and evidence.

The Planning Commission opted for a virtual meeting on July 29 to make the best use of commissioner time and County resources. With just one item of business on the agenda, the meeting is expected to be short. The Commission also met virtually on June 17, in a meeting that lasted about five minutes, to continue the public hearing to a later date (July 8). All other meetings related to LU-24-027 were held in person in the Kalapuya Building.

Once the decision on the application is final (expected July 29), all parties have 14 days to file an appeal, setting the appeal deadline at 5 p.m. (close of business) on Tuesday, August 12. An appellant is charged the full cost to the County of the appeal, starting with a $5,000 deposit due when the appeal is filed. Appeals are heard by the Benton County Board of Commissioners.  

Learn more

July 11, 2025 in News

Final Open Record Period to end July 16 at 5:00 p.m. as public hearing on proposed landfill expansion concludes

CORVALLIS, Ore. – The Benton County Planning Commission announces the deadline to submit written testimony in the public hearing on LU-24-027, Republic Services’ application to expand the Coffin Butte Landfill. Reponses to new written evidence that was submitted during the hearings on July 8 and 9 will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 16.

On July 8, the Benton County Planning Division, consultants and the applicant made presentations to the Planning Commission. The following evening, the Commission heard nearly four hours of verbal testimony from the public. Recordings of both meetings are available on the County’s YouTube channel.

No more presentations or verbal testimony will be heard.

At the conclusion of the meeting on July 9, the Commission recognized requests for a 7-day Responsive Open Record Period. The Responsive Open Record Period is for submission of written evidence, arguments or testimony for the purpose of responding to the new written evidence submitted at the July 8 and 9 hearing. Submissions should not respond to evidence introduced before those dates and should not include evidence that is not limited to responding to the written evidence submitted at the July 8 and 9 hearing.

The schedule of the remaining proceedings is as follows:

  • Wednesday, July 16 at 5 p.m.: Deadline to submit responsive evidence, arguments or testimony that responds to  new written evidence submitted on July 8 and 9. Responsive written evidence, argument and testimony can be submitted by emailing it to publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov  or delivering it  to the Planning Division/Community Development at 4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333 prior to July 16 at 5:00 p.m. Submissions received after that date and time will not be considered by the Planning Commission or included in the record.
  • Tuesday, July 22, 6 p.m.: Planning Commission meets for deliberations and decision on LU-24-027. Members of the public can attend in person or watch online. Location: 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. No public testimony will be allowed.
  • Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m.: Planning Commission meets to adopt the final written decision and findings on LU-24-027. Location TBD. Members of the public can watch online.

July 1, 2025 in News

Sign-up now open for verbal testimony on July 8 & 9

The Benton County Planning Division has opened online sign-up for those wishing to give verbal testimony about the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. Registrants to give verbal testimony on July 8 or 9 will be added to the roster in the order in which the online sign-up form is completed.

The public hearing on LU-24-027 will resume on July 8 at 6 p.m. in the Holmes & Shipley meeting room of the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis. The meeting will begin with presentations of the supplemental staff report and the applicant’s supplemental materials. Any time remaining will be used for the presentation of public verbal testimony.

Verbal testimony will continue on Wednesday, July 9 at 6 p.m. The public hearing will end by 9 p.m. with no continuance or extension to a later time or date. The Planning Commission will accept verbal testimony until 8:45 p.m. on July 9 to allow the applicant 15 minutes for rebuttal.

To guarantee that new evidence, argument or testimony will be reviewed by the Planning Commission, community members should submit it in written format. To ensure adequate processing and delivery time for digital submissions, deadlines vary for the different methods:

  • The online form will close at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.
  • Emailed submissions to publiccomment@bentoncountyor.gov will be accepted until 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1.
  • In-person delivery to the Community Development office will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7.
  • Mailed submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7. The Planning Division will not consider the postmark date if a submission is received after this deadline.
  • In-person delivery at the public hearing will be accepted beginning at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9.

June 27, 2025 in News

Benton County releases supplemental staff report for hearing on proposed landfill expansion 

The Benton County Planning Division has released the supplemental staff report for LU-24-027, the conditional land use application for the proposed expansion of the Coffin Butte Landfill. The report is available for public viewing on the County’s Munidocs platform. A number of new exhibits submitted by the applicant and the County have also been uploaded to the platform. 

The Planning Commission will reconvene on July 8 for the public hearing. It will be held in the Holmes & Shipley Meeting Room on the first floor of the County’s Kalapuya Building at 4500 SW Research Way in Corvallis, with an option for online attendance through Zoom.  

Requests for physical or language accommodations should be emailed to permitcheck@bentoncountyor.gov at least 72 hours in advance of the hearing. 

The schedule for the rest of the application process is as follows: 

Tuesday, July 1, 1:00 p.m.  
Last date to submit written evidence through the online portal or by email. Written testimony may still be mailed or delivered in person to the Community Development Department (4500 SW Research Way, Corvallis, OR 97333). 

Monday, July 7, 4:00 p.m. 
Last date to submit written testimony in person at the Community Development Department and to receive mailed testimony (it must be received in-office by this date, NOT postmarked by this date). Written testimony can still be submitted in person at the public hearing on July 8 and 9. 

Tuesday, July 8, 6-9 p.m. 
Public hearing continues with presentations of supplemental staff report and applicant update. If time permits, begin public verbal testimony on new evidence only. 
Zoom registration  

Wednesday, July 9, 6-9 p.m.  
Public hearing finishes by 8:45 p.m. and applicant receives 15 minutes for rebuttal.  
Zoom registration  

Tuesday, July 22, 6 p.m. 
Deliberations by Planning Commission. No public comment will be heard. 
Zoom registration  

Tuesday, July 29, 6 p.m. 
Meeting to adopt final written decision and findings. 
Zoom registration 

Written testimony 

There are multiple ways to submit written testimony. To ensure adequate processing and delivery time for digital submissions, deadlines vary for the different methods: 

  • The online form will close at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1. 
  • In-person delivery to the Community Development office will be accepted until 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7. 
  • Mailed submissions must be received by 4 p.m. on Monday, July 7. The Planning Division will not consider the postmark date if a submission is received after this deadline. 
  • In-person delivery at the public hearing will be accepted starting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8 and Wednesday, July 9. 

Verbal testimony 

Community members may participate in a second round of verbal testimony during the public hearing on July 8 and 9. This is an opportunity to present and rebut new evidence, arguments or testimony. This means evidence, arguments and testimony that has not been presented before and that contains new subject matter.  People who provided verbal testimony on May 6 or 8 may testify again as long as their testimony meets the novel information requirement. 

Sign-up for verbal testimony will open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 1 and close at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8.  

To sign up to deliver verbal testimony or find more information about LU-24-027, including recordings of all previous meetings in the public hearing, visit bentoncountyor.gov/coffin-butte-landfill. 

Benton County Crisis Center ribbon cutting

June 26, 2025 in Health NewsNews

Governor and Congresswoman celebrate Benton County Crisis Center; public invited to tour this weekend

* Español a continuación *

Benton County administration, elected officials and behavioral health partners gathered on June 20 to celebrate the completion of the Benton County Crisis Center. Governor Tina Kotek and Congresswoman Val Hoyle joined the Board of Commissioners and other County leaders in a ribbon cutting ceremony to open the new building.  

The Crisis Center, located at 240 NW 4th Street in downtown Corvallis, will begin providing walk-in crisis counseling and mobile crisis dispatch on July 7. Stabilization and respite services will be added as part of the phased opening approach. 

Behavioral health is a priority for Governor Kotek and has been throughout her career in public service. Kotek is currently focused on building statewide capacity for every Oregonian to have access to behavioral health services and support no matter where they live or what they can afford. 

“This center is a result of our state’s ongoing work for more spaces and places for Oregonians to get the help they deserve,” Governor Kotek said. “It is the type of capacity that we need, where someone in crisis can stabilize in a safe space, and for those who need more time, a residential setting where they can stay up to 29 days and receive therapy, life skills training, case management, and connections to long-term care.” 

Benton County Commissioner Nancy Wyse cited an increase in need over the last decade for mental and behavioral health support as well as substance use services. She believes the COVID pandemic exacerbated the problem, and that social and economic pressures also add to the strain.  

“There are many stressors affecting everyone in our community —no one is immune to a behavioral health crisis,” said Commissioner Wyse. “Benton County brought together a variety of experts, including health partners, law enforcement and architects, to design this facility that will fill critical gaps in our continuum of care and be a safe, welcoming, therapeutic space for everyone.” 

The community is invited to see the new Crisis Center during the public open house and information fair on Saturday, June 28 from 9 a.m. to noon. Visitors can stop at information stations set up throughout the building to learn about its planning, design and construction and the services that will be offered in each space. Partner organizations will be present to share information about other behavioral health supports available in the community. 

More information is available at health.bentoncountyor.gov/crisis-center-open-house/. 

View photos of the June 20 Crisis Center ribbon-cutting event   

La gobernadora y la congresista celebran el Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton; el público está invitado a visitarlo este fin de semana 

La administración del Condado de Benton, funcionarios electos y organizaciones de la comunidad que trabajan en el campo de salud mental se reunieron el 20 de junio para celebrar la finalización del Centro de Crisis del Condado de Benton. La gobernadora Tina Kotek y la congresista Val Hoyle se unieron a la Junta de Comisionados y otros líderes del condado en la ceremonia de inauguración del nuevo edificio. 

El Centro de Crisis, ubicado en 240 NW 4th Street, en el Centro de Corvallis, comenzará a ofrecer consejería de crisis sin cita previa y un servicio móvil de atención de crisis el 7 de julio. Se añadirán servicios de estabilización y respiro como parte de la apertura gradual. 

La salud mental es una prioridad para la gobernadora Kotek y lo ha sido a lo largo de su carrera en el servicio público. Kotek se centra actualmente en fortalecer la capacidad estatal para que todos los habitantes de Oregón tengan acceso a servicios y apoyos de salud mental, sin importar dónde vivan o su presupuesto. 

“Este centro es el resultado del trabajo continuo de nuestro estado para crear más espacios y lugares donde los habitantes de Oregón puedan recibir la ayuda que merecen”, declaró la gobernadora Kotek. “Es el tipo de capacidad que necesitamos, donde una persona en crisis pueda estabilizarse en un espacio seguro y para quienes necesitan más tiempo, un espacio residencial donde puedan permanecer hasta 29 días y recibir terapia, capacitación en habilidades para la vida, manejo de casos y acceso a cuidados a largo plazo”. 

La comisionada del Condado de Benton, Nancy Wyse, mencionó un aumento en la necesidad de apoyo para la salud mental, así como de servicios para el abuso de sustancias, durante la última década. Cree que la pandemia de COVID agravó el problema y que las presiones sociales y económicas también agravan la situación. 

“Hay muchos factores estresantes que afectan a todos en nuestra comunidad; nadie es inmune a una crisis de salud mental”, afirmó la comisionada Wyse. “El Condado de Benton reunió a diversos expertos, incluyendo socios de salud, autoridades policiales y arquitectos, para diseñar este centro que cubrirá las necesidades críticas de nuestra atención continua y será un espacio seguro, acogedor y terapéutico para todos”.  

Se invita a la comunidad a conocer el nuevo Centro de Crisis durante el evento de bienvenida y la feria de recursos el sábado 28 de junio, de 9:00 a.m. a 12:00 p.m. Los visitantes podrán visitar las estaciones de información distribuidas por todo el edificio para conocer su planificación, diseño y construcción, así como los servicios que se ofrecerán en cada espacio. Organizaciones colaboradoras estarán presentes para compartir información sobre otros apoyos de salud mental disponibles en la comunidad. 

Más información está disponible en health.bentoncountyor.gov/crisis-center-open-house/. 

Vea fotos de la ceremonia de apertura del Centro de Crisis el 20 de junio    

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