Lehigh Valley landfill owners win one, lose one in effort to expand disposal area

Grand Central Sanitary Landfill’s plan to expand suffered a small setback Wednesday night.

But WM Inc.’s effort to enlarge the Slate Belt trash facility remains in place; it won a significant victory late last month when Plainfield Township supervisors voted to change the zoning of 212 acres across from the landfill to a solid waste processing and disposal district

Plainfield supervisors did not act Wednesday night on a motion that would have changed its law permitting landfills as a conditional use to a use permitted by right. A “by right” zoning classification would mean Grand Central wouldn’t need additional permission from the township to use the land as a dump; “conditional use” use requires public review and specific approval.

A motion by Chairperson Ken Field to vote on the change died for lack of a second, Township Manager Paige Stefanelli said Thursday.

On a separate zoning law amendment, Grand Central won an exemption from requirements regarding the township’s steep slope overlay district. Supervisors’ approval allows the proposed expansion to be constructed on large inclines.

The rezoned area where WM Inc. of Houston, formerly Waste Management, seeks to expand the landfill borders Pen Argyl, Delabole and Bocce Club roads, and a railroad right-of-way along the eastern portion. The company has said it would use 80 of the 212 acres for waste disposal.

Most residents who attended the previous supervisors meeting spoke out against the expansion, citing health, environmental, traffic and other concerns. For months, opponents have been fighting the expansion, citing concerns including foul odors in Plainfield and neighboring communities.

Grand Central spokesperson Adrienne Fors said in an email the company is reviewing how best to proceed with expansion plans under the amendments. She also said the company plans to submit a land development application soon to the township.

The expansion effort still requires approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.

https://www.mcall.com/2025/09/11/grand-central-trash-expansion/