FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Broward County commissioners sat for hours on Tuesday, hearing from residents and city leaders who were making their case to stop the expansion of the Monarch Hill Landfill, dubbed “Mount Trashmore” by critics.
Officials are considering a request by Waste Management to expand the landfill vertically and horizontally, insisting the site only has six years of capacity as is.
Residents, many of who live near the landfill in Pompano Beach, packed the commission meeting. Most were angry at the proposal and pushing back against it.
Ultimately, commissioners decided to defer the decision to a vote that will now occur in January.
6 p.m. report:
According to Deerfield Beach’s website:
Waste Management (WM) is seeking two significant expansions of the Monarch Hill landfill that will extend its use for approximately 16 additional years beyond the current 6-year lifespan, and they are as follows:
- A County Land Use Plan Amendment (LUPA) change, which would convert the old waste-to-energy facility along Green Road to additional landfill space. The LUPA requires County Commission approval.
- A proposed zoning change that would give Waste Management by right, the ability to increase the height to 325 feet. Currently, the landfill is approved for a maximum height of 225 feet and requires a variance approval to increase the height.
WM said as of January 2024, the landfill has only an estimated six years of capacity left.
Ninety percent of the material going to Monarch Hill is construction debris and bulk waste.
It is seeking a land use plan amendment for a 24-acre parcel, which was formerly the Wheelabrator North site that was demolished earlier this year.
In a presentation distributed to residents, WM said “voting no” could seriously impact its operations. Watch the presentation below: