The Mat-Su Borough Planning Commission denied a Conditional Use Permit request from Central Environmental Incorporated Monday night. The commission officially voted to deny CEI's permit June 3rd, but reconvened to adopt the resolution. The four page document cited concerns that recycled construction materials would contaminate the water table or be blown onto private property.
"There's opinions that are being relayed as fact, but there's very little science and engineering behind their decision," said CEI President Stuart Jacques.
Jacques says by rejected his company's permit request, the borough is denying up to 20 new jobs, potential property tax revenue from the facility and the opportunity for Mat-Su contractors to recycle their construction waste.
Opponents of the monofill site, which would be located at Mile 38 on the Glenn Highway, viewed the commission's resolution differently.
"It seemed very concise, very comprehensive as to the issues that the neighbors living next to the potential monofill site had," said Palmer resident Dody Kettler.
Kettler and other Palmer residents are concerned about the waste leaching into streams and lakes. Several homes are located less than a mile from the site.
"We're installing monitoring wells that are in every community, it's not required, but we're doing it just in case," countered Jacques.
Kettler and other residents have mounted an intense campaign against the facility, not because they're against recycling, but because they don't want it so close to their homes.
"The residents did their homework, and there was a lot of testimony, a lot of people worked hard to see if this was compatible with the site and obviously it wasn't," said Kettler.
An attorney for CEI says the company can either appeal the commission's decision or re-apply for the permit.
Contact Adam Pinsker