BERNSON CONTESTING EXPANSION OF LANDFILL.

Byline: Peter Hartlaub Daily News Staff Writer

Los Angeles Councilman Hal Bernson asked the Granada Hills Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday to reconsider its newly declared support of a proposal to expand the Sunshine Canyon Landfill onto city land.

In a Nov. 11 resolution, the chamber reversed its longstanding stance opposing the landfill and asked the City Council to approve expansion on city land. The landfill currently operates on county land.

Bernson wrote in a two-page letter to chamber President Dave Cash that if the expansion is allowed, Granada Hills' slogan - ``The Valley's Most Neighborly Town'' - might as well change to ``Home of America's Largest Dump.''

``I sincerely suggest you reconsider your position,'' Bernson wrote. ``I would also hope that you listen closely to the people who shop in Granada Hills and the residents who are impacted by this landfill.''

Browning-Ferris Industries has been using the landfill since August 1996, when expansion on county land was approved. BFI wants to expand the landfill onto city land in Granada Hills, but must have City Council approval.

BFI officials said the trash hauler is adding about 4,000 tons per day to the landfill and is permitted to add 6,000 tons per day. At that rate, Sunshine Canyon won't be full until 2009.

With the proposed expansion on city land, the landfill could add 11,000 tons per day and stay at the site until 2027.

James East, the Granada Hills chamber's government affairs chairman, said his colleagues didn't change their minds, but the situation changed after the landfill reopened on county property last year.

``We have long opposed the landfill in Granada Hills,'' East said. ``However, when the county and city agreed to allow the landfill to open on the county side, the issue changed for us dramatically.''

The chamber's resolution cites a need for landfill space in the city and the lack of alternatives for disposing the trash. The resolution says expanding the landfill ``will prevent disturbing areas that have not been disturbed yet.''

``We felt it was less destructive to the world than expanding back into the canyon,'' East said.

The North Valley Coalition of Concerned Citizens, which lost a court battle last year over the expansion on county land, claims the landfill exposes residents to air pollution.

Coalition spokeswoman Mary Edwards said she doesn't expect the chamber's decision will have much impact on the City Council.

``If those poor, tired little souls can get together and make policy or even influence policy for the city, then we're all in big trouble,'' Edwards said.