Escondido zoning administrator approves wrought-iron fence in place of CMU wall at CMS Recycling on West Mission Avenue

Escondido Zoning Administrator Veronica Moronis on July 17, 2025 approved a modification to an existing conditional use permit and related design review to replace a frontage CMU wall with an 8-foot semi-opaque black wrought-iron security fence at the CMS Recycling/California Metals site on West Mission Avenue.

City planner Greg Madsen told the hearing that the site received a prior approval on March 26, 2024 that expanded the recycling facility into an adjacent parcel and allowed above-height perimeter fencing along State Route 78 for safety and security. "Staff recommends approval of the modifications and design review of the wall installation of the wire and fence and supplemental landscaping along that, West Mission Avenue frontage," Madsen said.

Under the approved modification, the applicant will remove about 60 feet of the existing CMU wall with pilasters along the frontage and replace chain-link and vinyl fencing on the expansion site with an 8-foot wrought-iron semi-opaque black security fence. The approved condition requires any proposed gates to be approved by the fire department and the director of development services or their designee before installation. The staff presentation also noted removal of a building currently within the right-of-way as part of frontage improvements.

Moronis opened the public hearing and, seeing no members of the public present, closed it before making a motion that revised the draft resolution to strike language in Exhibit B describing an "expansion of an existing recycling facility" (a reference to the prior entitlement rather than the current scope) and to replace Exhibit C with the conditions listed in Exhibit D of the previously referenced resolution. In closing the motion, Moronis said, "I have approved it." The transcript records no roll-call vote; the Zoning Administrator, as the hearing officer, issued the approval on the record.

Staff and the applicant were asked to finalize recordkeeping and recording steps following the approval. Planner Greg Madsen indicated he will follow up with the applicant on next steps and recording requirements.

The decision modifies Condition E7 of the prior resolution by specifying the replacement fence type and gate approval process and is limited to the design-review/modification action described on the record rather than any new expansion of the recycling operation.