Neighbors oppose recycling collection site at West Hermosa; council approves application with conditions

The Lindsay City Council on Tuesday considered an application to open a recycling collection site at 460 West Hermosa and approved the site's conditional-use/site plan after public comment raised opposition. The application, submitted in writing by Christine Chavez, proposed a recycling collection operation at a property currently used for auto-related activities. City staff said the operator would need to meet specified operational requirements including onsite improvements, an operations statement, and restrictions on nonoperable vehicles and tires. Several nearby business owners and residents spoke during public comment and told the council they opposed the site. Ron Wilmore, speaking for himself and neighboring business owners, said the proposed location would bring homeless visitors and visible dumping and that "it's not a good sign to have" the facility there. Other speakers pointed to existing nonoperational vehicles, tire piles and perceived upkeep problems at the site and asked why another recycling location was needed when two existing drop-off centers operate in town. City planning staff noted that the conditions being applied are the same kinds of requirements the city would impose on any operator and said staff are monitoring other recycling locations for compliance. The staff presentation described options including deferral if council felt more time was needed, and said additional enforcement and permit-review work were planned. Council discussion focused on visibility, placement near business corridors, code enforcement history at the site and whether the city's standard conditions would be sufficient to address neighbor concerns. One council member said the location may be hidden from some approaches and that visual screening was a concern. A motion to approve the application with the listed conditions was made and seconded; the council recorded roll-call votes and approved the application. Staff said the approvals include enforceable conditions and that staff will continue monitoring other recycling centers in town for compliance.