|
Zoning Ordinance Amendment (ZOA) No. 2021-01 – Light Processing (Recycling)
<br />Facilities
<br />June 15, 2021
<br />Page 2
<br />1
<br />7
<br />8
<br />2
<br />of recyclable materials. Pursuant to the SAMC, a light processing facility occupies an area
<br />of under forty-five thousand (45,000) square feet of gross collection, processing and
<br />storage area and has up to an average of two (2) outboard truck shipments per day. Light
<br />processing facilities are limited to baling, briquetting, crushing, compacting, grinding,
<br />shredding and sorting of source-separated recyclable materials and repairing of reusable
<br />materials sufficient to quality as a certified processing facility. Light processing facilities
<br />may not shred, compact, or bale ferrous metals other than food and beverage containers.
<br />Further, the SAMC states that a heavy processing facility is any processing facility other
<br />than a light processing facility. As presently written, the SAMC requires a CUP for heavy
<br />processing facilities, which are only permitted in the Heavy Industrial (M-2) zoning district.
<br />Section 41-1255 of the SAMC contains operational standards for all processing facilities,
<br />whether light or heavy, one of which is that such facilities may not abut a property zoned
<br />or used for residential purpose. However, due to the City’s age, development patterns,
<br />and past zoning practices, there exist multiple areas of the City where Industrial (M-1 and
<br />M-2) zoning districts directly abut residentially-zoned or used properties, now identified
<br />as Environmental Justice Communities pursuant to California Senate Bill (SB) 1000.
<br />These Communities include: Delhi, Logan, Cornerstone Village, Lacy, French Park,
<br />Artesia Pilar, Casa Bonita, and other residential properties near Harbor Mixed-Use Transit
<br />Corridor Specific Plan (SP-2), Santa Anita, and Mar-Les neighborhoods that are not part
<br />of an established Neighborhood Association. In these areas and under the current SAMC
<br />regulations, a light processing facility may operate just one property away from a
<br />residential land use, without any CUP requirement.
<br />Operations typical of light processing facilities, which include preparation of material for
<br />efficient shipment, or to an end-user's specifications, by such means as baling,
<br />briquetting, compacting, flattening, grinding, crushing, mechanical sorting, shredding,
<br />cleaning, and remanufacturing, are known to have detrimental effects on surrounding
<br />properties due to the noise, odor, vibration, vermin infestation, visual, and traffic impacts
<br />caused by inbound and outbound truck movements. The absence of a CUP requirement
<br />does not allow the City to evaluate each submitted application for consistency with
<br />surrounding properties and neighborhoods, as well as the General Plan, to therefore
<br />recommend approval or denial of such applications subject to a discretionary review
<br />process. Moreover, the current by-right review prevents the Planning Commission and
<br />City Council from imposing conditions of approval to ensure compatible and unimpactful
<br />operations of such facilities with surrounding properties and neighborhoods.
<br />There currently exist 12 light processing facilities in the City. Of these, six are located in
<br />the Light Industrial (M-1) zoning district and five are operating without a Conditional Use
<br />Permit. Out of the 12 light processing facilities, 11 are within 1,000 feet of property zoned
<br />or used for residential purposes. The proposed SAMC amendment would ensure
<br />continued consistency of the Zoning Code’s regulations with SAMC Section 41-1, which
<br />articulates the purpose of the City’s Zoning Code. The absence of a Conditional Use
|