BOC 1/06 Meeting Clip regarding LU-24-027 LUBA recall process

The Board of Commissioners held a work session to discuss the postponement and process for reconsidering the Coffin Butte Landfill expansion permit (LU-24-027). Planning Director Patra Schultz announced that the public hearing was postponed from January 6th to January 20th to ensure proper notification of approximately 1,000 interested parties who had signed up for notifications. The postponement was necessary to comply with notification requirements that weren't initially considered when the motion was made on December 16th.

The board engaged in detailed discussion about the structure of the January 20th public hearing, clarifying that it would serve to open the public record and allow the board to receive additional testimony and evidence. Staff will present information in a packet published January 13th about items that came to light after the original record was closed. On January 20th, the board will determine how to receive public input, including whether to accept verbal or only written testimony and how long to keep the record open.

County counsel confirmed they are working with outside legal counsel to develop the proper process within the 90-day reconsideration timeline that began December 16th and must be completed by mid-March. The public testimony will likely focus on new information that emerged after the original record was closed, following the same procedural requirements as the initial land use process, including time for applicant rebuttal before the record closes and a final decision is made.