By Peter Biello
Wilmington, NC – A new landfill may come to the Brunswick County town of Northwest and many residents say they don't want it.
The proposed landfill would contain construction and demolition debris and grow to more than 140 acres over twenty years. That site was originally considered for an affordable housing development.
Developers say state laws will regulate what can be dumped into the landfill, but residents are concerned that asbestos and chemicals from stained wood will leak into the water supply.
Northwest resident Darlene Ballard went to last night's packed meeting.
"Affordable housing is something that's needed in the area. We see that there's hardly places for people to rent or to buy homes. We need affordable housing more than we need that site.
Developers argue that the construction debris landfill would bring in three times as much tax revenue as an affordable housing development.
Northwest Town Councilman Mike Troy says the landfill will won't threaten the environment.
"We've done some research, we went to various sites from Raleigh all the way back to the coast. We find a C and D landfill is very well maintained, the state checks it often, and it's very safe."
Landfill developers from Cape Fear Land Consultants say it would be impossible to check every piece of debris for toxic chemicals before it is dumped into the site.
Realtor Dean Byrd is managing the landfill project. He says people are reluctant to support the landfill project because it reminds them of the Sims-Hugo Neu landfill that almost made its home in Navassa last year. It was rejected after the community rallied against it.
"Landfill's a cuss word," he says.
The Northwest town council will discuss whether to support the plans at a meeting later this month.
Click here to see plans for the landfill drawn up by Cape Fear Land Consultants.
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