Monofill decision postponed

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough Planning Commission heard public comments at its Nov. 5 meeting on whether to approve a conditional-use permit by Central Monofill Services to build a disposal site for construction and demolition debris in Palmer, behind Noel Woods Indoor Shooting range.

Borough staff provided a written recommendation to deny the application. Testimony, mainly against the project, lasted until midnight.

The planning commission postponed a decision on the conditional-use permit to Dec. 19 after CMS requested to submit additional information. Public comments for the project are now closed.

The planning commission had previously denied the conditional-use permit on two occasions, once in 2013 and once in 2014, before a superior court ruling in July of this year ordered the commission to reconsider the application on the premise that it had not followed proper procedure in denying the permit.

An amendment to the application made by CMS includes a new design with a barrier structure to protect the aquifer. The borough staff recommendation filing to deny the permit says the barrier “does not sufficiently mitigate impacts to the public safety, health and welfare.”

Alex Strawn, development services manager with the borough who oversees permitting and code compliance, said, “I don’t know what to expect from them,” on the decision. “Certainly the commission will consider it and discuss the matter and vote.”

The Dec. 19 planning commission meeting will be held in the borough assembly chambers at 6 p.m.