Landfill Expansion Halted
By: Ken Curtis
Updated: December 8, 2012
The future of garbage in Dothan is up in the air after the Board of Zoning Adjustment essentially denied variance which would have allowed the current landfill to be expanded. No member would make a motion to approve the variance which was needed to finalize purchase and development of almost two hundred additional acres.
People who live nearby, and others, showed up at Wednesday morning's meeting to voice their opposition to the expansion. Some claim the health hazards are high while others say it's unfair to keep dumping in a community that is mostly African-American instead of considering other locations.
Bobby Lewis accused the city commission of withholding information which shows the dangerous environmental impact of the current landfill site. He provided reports, copies of which were given to DothanFirst, he said shows dangerous levels of chemicals around the site.
Dothan Public Works Director Jerry Corbin said the city now has three options. "The city commission will have to take it under consideration whether or not they want to pursue that site any further, whether to drop that site altogether, look at a new site, or consider turning to the private sector," Corbin said.
Corbin said he's not sure whether commissioners will consider trying to appeal the zoning board's decision, or in this case, lack of decision.
