After the industry attracted a lot of controversy among its neighbors, a proposal to ban new waste and recycling facilities is heading to the Pomona City Council.
The city Planning Commission voted last week to recommend the ban, along with proposed regulations on expanding existing businesses. The proposal passed 5-0-2 with commissioners Carolyn Hemming, the commission’s chairwoman, and Ismael Arias abstaining.
The council is expected to take up the matter June 5, Mark Lazzaretto, the city’s development services director, said Thursday.
Efforts to regulate waste and recycling businesses began in 2014 when members of Clean and Green Pomona — a group of residents and business people seeking improvements in industrial areas, particularly in southeast Pomona — called on city leaders to help. They and other residents complained of smells, dust, traffic, rodents, wear and tear on city streets and fire danger.
Since then, a group of residents has worked on the matter, as has a committee of City Council members.
Interested parties gathered again Wednesday to argue for and against the proposed amendments. Among the speakers was Nora Garcia of Clean and Green Pomona, who urged a yes vote
A ban would benefit residents who live near industrial zones, who “without the ban, … will be left unprotected,” Garcia said.
Allowing more of those types of businesses will not contribute to having a city that is vibrant or beautiful, she said.
Also addressing the Commission was Steve Iverson, vice president of operations for SA Recycling, a company in the scrap metal recycling business, which has facilities across the country, including Pomona.
“The majority of the material comes from businesses and residents from here in Pomona,” Iverson said.
The company is a responsible one, “conducting business on an ethical level, not just to pass inspections,” he said. The Pomona facility serves as a collection site that sends materials to company-owned locations outside the city for further processing.
SA officials worry the proposed zoning changes will negative affect their facility, Iverson said. The Pomona site has permits to operate and its operation was an authorized use at the time it was established, but the proposed changes would make the business a legal non-conforming use.
To read the full story, visit http://www.dailybulletin.com/government-and-politics/20170430/pomona-moves-closer-to-ban-on-waste-and-recycling-businesses.