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Pateros council halts landfill negotiations amid community uproar over proposed Starr Road recycle center
Summary
After extensive public comment opposing a proposed recycle center on Starr Road, the City of Pateros council voted to halt negotiations with Tommer Construction Inc. Council cited transparency and land-use concerns; staff said any facility would require conditional-use review and an environmental assessment.
The City of Pateros City Council voted on Aug. 18 to halt negotiations with Tommer Construction Inc. regarding the city landfill property after residents raised concerns about a proposed recycle center on Starr Road. Councilmember Frank Herbert moved to stop negotiations; the motion was seconded by Holly Bange and carried unanimously.
Members of the public told the council the project had not been sufficiently disclosed and that land-use and environmental impacts had not been fully explained. "I am not in favor of the recycle center and there needed to be more transparency from council regarding projects," resident Robert McGee said during audience input. Several speakers urged the city to improve communication, including requests for a social-media presence or a dedicated projects tab on the city's website.
City Administrator CA Wilson told the audience that a recycle center proposal would require a conditional-use permit and an environmental assessment covering noise and pollution. "The project would require a conditional use and would require an environmental assessment for noise, pollution, etc.," CA Wilson said. The council's motion to halt negotiations responds to the combination of public opposition and the need for formal land-use review.
The council did not provide a roll-call tally in the meeting minutes; minutes note the motion "carried unanimously." The next regular council meeting is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2025, where any future steps on the landfill or related proposals could reappear on the agenda.
