Monarch Hill Renewal Energy Park in unincorporated Broward County. {Google Maps}
In a unanimous decision on November 11, the Coconut Creek City Commission voted against a proposed amendment with Waste Management Inc. of Florida (WMIF) regarding the Monarch Hill landfill.
The deal would have allowed WMIF to expand the landfill’s height and volume, raising concerns about possible groundwater contamination.
City Manager Sheila Rose explained her concerns to the commission during the special meeting. She and City Attorney Terrill Pyburn had been negotiating with WMIF, aiming to prevent any sudden changes to the landfill that could impact local water quality or environmental safety. However, Rose warned the commission that WMIF might still seek to expand under the guise of an “emergency” situation, risking an increase in waste volume and a change in slope.
The proposed agreement outlined that if WMIF were to apply for landfill expansion beyond the currently approved height of 225 feet, the company would be required to provide the city with a copy of its application to regulatory agencies and pay a $10 million application fee.
The same payment structure would apply if WMIF sought to add land to the landfill or increase the slope beyond the permitted three-to-one ratio.
Commission members praised Rose and Pyburn for their work but ultimately decided the proposal was not in the city’s best interest. Vice Mayor Jackie Railey and Mayor Sandra Welch both voiced strong opposition, with Welch calling the proposal a “bad deal” and urging continued resistance to the expansion. Commissioner Jeffrey Wasserman added that the proposed fee from WMIF fell short, given the company’s considerable revenue.
A public hearing on the proposed expansion is set for November 12, during which Broward County Commissioners will hear input from residents. WMIF’s plan includes a 100-foot height increase to 325 feet, extending the landfill’s capacity by 16 years.
For residents interested in attending, a bus will leave Coconut Creek Community Center at noon.
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