Central Monofill withdraws borough application

PALMER — Central Monofill Services announced it is withdrawing its application for a conditional-use permit on Dec. 19, the same day a decision on the application was set to be made by the Mat-Su Borough planning commission.

A denial of the application was anticipated by many, after borough staff wrote an advisory position against accepting CMS' application, and a public hearing held Dec. 5 consisted largely of community members opposed to the project.

The application was for a monofill site in Palmer to contain construction and demolition debris. A judge on Dec. 16 denied a motion by CMS to halt the planning commission from rendering a decision on the application at its Dec. 19 meeting.

In a press release about its application withdrawal, CMS said, "There exists an ever increasing need to address our waste stream. Focusing recycling efforts on C&D (construction and demolition), one of the largest components of the waste stream, will ultimately lengthen the lifespan of existing waste disposal facilities."

It added that the company "respects the input of its neighbors and appreciates their concerns," and that "CMS looks forward to moving in a positive direction to advance recycling opportunities in the MSB."

The Anchorage-based company saw similar community opposition to its proposed monofill in Chugiak, where it was ultimately rejected by Eklutna, Inc. at its original proposed site. The ANCSA corporation yanked the monofill from its land-use plan in May 2015.