Veit Demolition Landfill Facility, Austin LLC has made its case for the renewal and expansion of its conditional use permit to operate a demolition landfill.

If approved, the firm's existing 25-acre landfill will grow to 76 acres and it move it alongside U.S. Highway 218 north.

Just over the hill from the demolition landfill is the Austin Business Development Park, the former Cook Farm site, and further down the highway is the commercial retail area of northwest Austin.

If you want to hear about opposition to the renewal of a CUP and the expansion of a demolition landfill, the city of Austin has something to say.

The most detailed opposition to the CUP request comes under the signature of Austin Mayor Bonnie Rietz.

Jon W. Erichson, city engineer and director of public works, argued again the request before the Mower County Board of Commissioners.

According to Erichson, the argument begins with the county's revised comprehensive plan and its definition of the land where the landfill is located as "rural management area."

One by one, Erichson refuted the argument that the landfill is compatible with the county's definition of a rural management area.

He began with the comprehensive plan's assertion that the rural management area where the landfill is located is intended for "non-farm housing opportunities."

"The demolition landfill would prevent any type of housing on this site and will restrict housing adjacent to this property," Erichson argued.

He concluded with a warning that "any landfill that could impact groundwater needs to be permitted only after all environmental questions have been answered."

The city's letter concluded with recommendations for certain conditions to be placed on the CUP.

The Erichson-Rietz argument concluded that the county "faces a very difficult land use decision." But the city's opposes the request to renew and expand the Veit landfill.

It recommended the board deny the request based on the county's comprehensive plan or extending the time to study the issue and applying the city's recommended conditions to the county permit.

Of the three city recommendations,

one -- delaying action -- was granted.

The other two -- denying the request or putting strict conditions on the permit -- remain possibilities.

Lee Bonorden can be contacted at 434-2232 or by e-mail at

lee.bonorden@austindailyherald.com