Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc. v. County of Kern
Opinion
Opinion
Buckley, J.
Facts
In October 1991, Laidlaw Environmental Services, Inc. (LES LOKERN), noticed its intention to seek a conditional use permit and general plan amendment from Kern County to expand and modify its existing hazardous waste facility near the unincorporated town of Buttonwillow. LES LOKERN proposed to add a landfill and a container storage facility.
After accepting LES LOKERN’s application, Kern County Board of Supervisors appointed a local assessment committee (LAC) as directed by Health and Safety Code section 25199.7, subdivision (d). Among those persons appointed to LAC to advise on the LES LOKERN request were Eduardo Montoya, Dennis Palla, and Michael Saltz, appellants herein.
In February 1992, LAC held its first meeting; five more meetings were conducted through June of that year. During those initial meetings, LAC familiarized itself with LES LOKERN’s permanent application, established internal procedures, and began negotiations with LES LOKERN on various issues.
In July 1992, shortly before the next scheduled LAC meeting, LAC was instructed by Kern County, with the approval of LES LOKERN, to cease all further activities pending Kern County’s preparation of a…