Balch Springs planning commission approves security and recordkeeping rules for recycling facilities

Balch Springs Planning and Zoning Commission on May 15, 2025, approved Zoning Ordinance Amendment ZOA-001-2025 to add security, recordkeeping and site requirements for recycling facilities and recycling centers, including video surveillance and transaction logs.

The amendment modifies Chapter 90 of the city zoning ordinance (sections cited in staff materials as 90-3.03 and 90-3.04) to add conditions that apply to recycling uses allowed by a specific use permit. Staff recommended the change as a preventive measure to “make sure that all transactions in these businesses are being conducted safely and legally,” a staff member told the commission.

Under the approved language, facilities would be required to install a colored video security system with one camera at every vehicular entrance and at every public entrance; video must be playable for up to 14 days and include a time-and-date stamp. The amendment also requires a written record of each transaction that must include a transaction date, a description of materials, the seller’s name, address, telephone number and a government-issued ID. Other conditions retained or clarified in the draft amendment include a 5,000-foot separation from any residential lot or district, off-street parking, a separate parking area for loading and unloading of materials, a solid 8-foot fence for buffering and application materials that include an environmental impact study and an infrastructure impact study stamped and sealed by a professional engineer.

During the meeting staff said the amendment is largely proactive: there were no known recycling facility applicants “in the pipeline” at the time. The commission opened a public hearing at 7:23 p.m., heard no public comment and closed the hearing at 7:24 p.m.

Commissioner Adams moved to approve the amendment and Commissioner Ford seconded. The motion passed on a recorded vote: Commissioner Ford — yes; Commissioner Gardner — yes; Commissioner Comstock — yes; Commissioner Adams — yes. Commissioner Carroll was absent. Staff confirmed the approval will be forwarded to City Council for the council’s consideration, consistent with the city’s process for specific use permits and zoning text changes.

The meeting also included routine items: approval of April 2025 minutes and brief announcements about local events. In a staff report, city staff noted that Tesla charging stations now operate at the Exxon convenience store on Beltline near the Texas Best Smokehouse. The commission adjourned at 7:25 p.m.