Planning commission approves one-year permits for two textile donation bins after debate over maintenance and crime concerns

The Yucaipa Planning Commission on Aug. 20 approved one-year special use permits for two textile donation facilities — each comprising three 4-by-4-by-7-foot collection bins — proposed for 33644 Yucaipa Boulevard and 31515 Yucaipa Boulevard. The applicant is Green Team Worldwide, which operates donation bins nationally.

The permits were approved after commissioners debated concerns raised by city staff, the sheriff’s/public-safety representatives and local residents about possible nuisance, litter and crime around the bins. The approvals include a 12-month term so the city can reassess operations and enforcement if problems arise.

City planning staff told commissioners the two proposed sites are at existing shopping centers and meet development-code setback standards (staff cited Development Code Section 84.0625 in the project packet). Staff reported that Green Team formerly operated bins at one Yucaipa shopping center without an approved land-use permit and was cited by code enforcement in January; the company subsequently submitted two special use permit applications and worked with staff on placement and site plans. Staff also said notices were sent to surrounding property owners and that the city received one public comment expressing concern about maintenance and possible attraction of unhoused individuals. The staff recommendation was to adopt a categorical exemption under CEQA and approve the designs and permits if commissioners found them acceptable.

Ivan Otskano, Green Team’s vice president, told the commission he traveled from New Jersey for the hearing and apologized for earlier placing bins without a permit: “Of course, we apologize for placing the bins without the necessary permit at first.” He described Green Team’s operations as professional and said the company operates about 2,000 bins nationwide and maintains a local warehouse to service bins in the Los Angeles area. Otskano said the proposed service schedule for the Yucaipa locations is every other day, with staff available to make additional pickups when needed, and that during visits crews perform maintenance and remove adjacent litter. He also said the bins can be bolted but typically are placed, and he estimated an empty bin’s weight at “about 600 pounds.”

Rod Mendenhall, representing the property owner Vantage 1 Real Estate Investments, told commissioners the owner intentionally selected Green Team and described active property management, security and a day porter service: “We have a day porter out there every single day picking up trash on the whole property.” He said the owner included a one-day termination in its lease with the company.

Public commenter Niles O’Hara said he believed the project packet described a daily cleaning schedule and urged commissioners to weigh recommendations from law enforcement and staff: “These objects provide another location for the junkies to hide out and shoot up,” he said, and added concerns that donation boxes divert goods from local thrift businesses.

Commissioners discussed options including shortening the permit term. Planning staff said the special use permits require renewal (they do not run with the land like a conditional-use permit) and explained enforcement remedies, including code-enforcement action and revocation for failure to meet conditions of approval. One commissioner proposed a 12-month term so the city could evaluate performance; another said property owners bear a strong stake and had vetted the operator.

A commissioner moved to approve the two special use permits with a one-year term; another commissioner seconded. Roll call votes recorded two “no” votes and three “yes” votes; Chair Phillips cast a deciding “yes.” The motion carried.

The approvals require the operator to meet the project’s conditions of approval, including posted contact information on each bin and maintenance per the operation plan. Staff will file a notice of exemption under CEQA as recommended.

The planning commission then moved on to other agenda items.