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Public commenters tell council to rethink landfill plan and warn Measure X could require voter approval for Legacy Ranch
Summary
Two residents urged the council to scrutinize county landfill plans and to uphold Measure X protections for the Northwest Open Space. Jeff Weaver described a methane‑capture, capping and energy project for the Bridal landfill; Mark Nielsen said Measure X and municipal code §9‑2104(b) require a voter confirmation for open‑space changes tied to the Legacy Ranch proposal.
San Juan Capistrano — During oral communications on Feb. 3, two residents urged the council to raise concerns about an expanding county landfill and to recall the voter protections that the city adopted for northwest open space.
Jeff Weaver, who identified himself as a San Juan Capistrano resident, told council members he had reviewed the county’s climate action plan and said work at the Bridal landfill would expand disposal to as much as 8,000 tons per day. Weaver described a four‑phase project his group is proposing that would cap about 600 acres to capture landfill gas, build modular greenhouse bioreactors to increase gas capture and use animal waste to boost production. He said the project could yield as much as "20 megawatts of energy," which he said could power every house in San Juan Capistrano and a desalination plant, and urged the council to ask county supervisors to consider the plan as an environmentally superior alternative ahead of an environmental‑impact report scheduled for later in February.
Mark Nielsen — a 35‑year resident who said he previously served as mayor and as chair of the Open Space Committee — spoke in opposition to the Legacy Ranch project proposed for the city’s northwest open space. Nielsen reminded the council that Measure X, adopted by voters in 2008, requires the city to hold a confirming vote after the city completes its approval process for any general‑plan open‑space designation change. He cited municipal code language to explain that the electorate’s approval is required before any open‑space parcel can be amended to another land use.
Council response: The mayor and council thanked both speakers and noted that comments would be part of the public record. Staff did not present a formal action in response during the meeting; residents asked to be put on a future agenda to present more information.
Provenance: Jeff Weaver's remarks began during oral communications at the council meeting (public comment) and Mark Nielsen's comments followed, with Nielsen citing Measure X and municipal code §9‑2104(b) in his address.
