Opponents of a proposed composting plant won a victory Monday when the Township of 91原创 council unanimously voted against the Glenval Organics project.

Glenval was asking the Township council to refer its application to the provincial Agricultural Land Commission for permission to operate the compost plant under non-farm-use regulations.

Council not only refused to forward the application, it voted to inform the commission it doesn鈥檛 endorse the proposed composting facility at 25330 88 Ave. because it is too close to area homes.

鈥淚t doesn鈥檛 belong here,鈥� said Councillor Charlie Fox.

It would be better located near to the Aldergrove waste transfer station, he added.

Fox complained Metro Vancouver has set a goal of eliminating recyclable waste without a clear strategy to accomplish that goal and that is provoking a wave of uncoordinated applications to build compost plants.

鈥淲hat we need is planning,鈥� Fox said.

Others said much the same.

鈥淭here are better places,鈥� said Councillor Bev Dornan.

鈥淪urely to goodness, with your expertise, you can find a location,鈥� Councillor Steve Ferguson told Glenval Organics CEO Gary Nickel, who was sitting in the audience.

鈥淭he whole neighbourhood came out and we have to listen,鈥� Councillor David Davis said.

鈥淥ur citizens have to be happy,鈥� said Councillor Grant Ward.

Before the vote was taken, there was a rush of last-minute delegations from area residents opposed to the project.

鈥淎 compost site belongs in an industrial site,鈥� said area resident John Crocock.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an industrial process.鈥�

Engineer Malcolm Swallow warned about the 鈥淐ream Sponge Effect鈥� that can occur when heavy compost is pile don top of the already-contaminated soil on the site.

鈥淵ou press on the top and cream [leachate] comes out,鈥� Swallow said. 鈥淭his is just the wrong site.鈥�

Council does not have final say over whether the project will proceed.

The decision comes less than two weeks before Metro Vancouver on the company's application for an air quality permit.