Arcadia : Landfill Proposal Protested

More than 150 El Monte residents, including the mayor, a councilman, the city attorney and planning director, filled the Arcadia City Council chambers Tuesday to protest a draft environmental impact report prepared for a proposed landfill north of Lower Azusa Road in Arcadia. The 82 acres, which abut homes in El Monte, have been operated by E. O. Rodeffer as a quarry since 1958. He now proposes to convert it to a landfill that would accept only inert material, including dirt, asphalt and concrete.

A consultant hired by the city of El Monte to review Arcadia’s environmental impact report called it incomplete and recommended that certified clean fill (dirt only) be the preferred alternative.

The Arcadia City Council has directed its Planning Department to prepare a final report, subject to approval of all environmental agencies. After the council approves the final report, the Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on granting a conditional-use permit for the landfill. At that time, the public will be permitted to discuss the merits of the project, instead of being limited to comment on the environmental report.