Over 100 protest against Santa Clara County landfill

MILPITAS, Calif. (KGO) -- Over 100 protesters showed up in force to try and shut down a Santa Clara County landfill they say is harmful to their health.

The protesters arrived at San Jose City Hall by bus from Milpitas and Fremont.

RELATED: Milpitas residents complain about stinky odor

Newby Island is in Milpitas sits on land owned by the city of San Jose.

"It looks like they don't even care about the public health. That's really unacceptable," Fremont resident Biju Odayammatheh said.

People who live nearby say the smell is so bad, it forces them indoors. They want the facility closed.

The San Jose Planning Commission has already approved an expansion of the landfill.

It's now considering an appeal by the city of Milpitas.

Protesters filled the meeting space only to hear the general manager of the landfill ask that the public hearing be moved to another date.

"We believe this is the most appropriate approach to this situation so an issue of this importance can be heard by as many members of the commission as possible," Newby Island Landfill General Manager Evan Boyd said.

Three commissioners were absent during the meeting.

The general manager added that they need more time to review a recently completed odor study.

The item is now scheduled for December 7.