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Coconut Creek initiates Chapter 164 proceedings to contest Monarch Hills Landfill expansion
Summary
The city commission approved a resolution to begin conflict-resolution procedures under Chapter 164 of the Florida Statutes to oppose proposed expansions and height increases at the Monarch Hills Landfill; staff said notice to Broward County will be sent within five days.
The Coconut Creek City Commission voted Feb. 13 to start the conflict-resolution procedures provided in Chapter 164 of the Florida Statutes to address ordinances before Broward County that would allow expansion and a 100-foot height increase at Monarch Hills Landfill.
City Attorney Pyburn summarized the background: Waste Management had filed an application for a 24-acre horizontal expansion into the former North Waste-to-Energy Plant site and requested a 100-foot height increase. Broward County added a county-initiated amendment limiting the types of waste that may be accepted. The ordinances were scheduled for final hearing on Feb. 25 at the county level.
“Approval of this resolution is the first step to initiating that conflict resolution procedure,” Pyburn said; the city will be assisted by outside counsel Ralph DeMeo of Gilday Law, whom the city identified in the meeting and said charges $325 per hour. The city attorney advised the commission that the city is legally required to provide certified-mail notice to the county within five days.
Commissioner Elaine Wasserman said she supported aggressive action. “I'm 100% in favor of doing everything and anything to stop this,” she said. Discussion touched on the city’s current lease with the Broward Sheriff’s Office for space in a city building; staff said the lease runs through September and contains extension provisions, so eviction from the building is not a near-term option.
Commissioner Riedell and other commissioners described ongoing efforts and outreach; the commission voted unanimously to approve the resolution to begin Chapter 164 procedures. City staff said they would send the required notice promptly and continue outreach to residents and county officials ahead of the Feb. 25 county hearing.
The resolution was recorded as Resolution 2025-28 (as read in the meeting). Staff noted this action starts a formal dispute-resolution process but does not itself change any county action; further steps, including a joint public meeting and conflict assessment, are set by the Chapter 164 process.
