Commission approves height variance for San Gabriel Valley Water Co. to replace air-stripping towers at 14124 Corax Street

The Baldwin Park Planning Commission on April 9 approved a site-specific zone variance (ZV25-01) allowing the San Gabriel Valley Water Company (SGVWC) to replace four air-stripping towers at its groundwater treatment facility located at 14124 Corax Street and to increase the tower height from the existing 35 feet to 47 feet.

Staff presentation: Planning staff described the site as a 45,840-square-foot groundwater treatment facility surrounded by residential uses to the north and south and industrial uses to the west, with Interstate 10 immediately north of the site. SGVWC requested the variance to replace aging equipment and meet increasingly stringent state water-quality standards. Staff advised the project is categorically exempt from CEQA under Guidelines Section 15301 (existing facilities), and that public notices were mailed to property owners and occupants within 300 feet of the site; staff reported no written or verbal public comments had been received at the time of the hearing.

Applicant statement: Steven Walker of Civiltech Engineering, representing SGVWC, said the existing towers are about 20'25 years old and that regulatory requirements for contaminant removal have grown stricter, which reduced the plant's effective capacity. Walker said the permit originally referenced in materials was 35 feet, not the 23 feet noted elsewhere in the staff report, and that the new towers are necessary to restore capacity and meet state standards. He told commissioners the facility's previously permitted flow was about 7,800 gallons per minute (GPM) but that current operation is below that due to aging equipment and tighter treatment targets.

Discussion and questions: Commissioners asked about notice to surrounding residents, the site-specific nature of the variance and whether approval would set a general precedent. Staff emphasized the variance is site-specific and future requests would be considered on a case-by-case basis. Commissioners also asked whether the tower replacement would affect customer rates; the applicant said equipment replacement is planned as part of the utility's long-term budget and not presented as an immediate rate increase.

Vote and findings: A motion to approve the variance passed on a roll-call vote; Chair Pena, Vice Chair Gonzales, Commissioner Escobosa and Commissioner Miranda DeSouff voted yes. The commission adopted Resolution PC 25-09 approving ZV25-01 and found the request categorically exempt under CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (existing facilities). The approval allows installation of new mechanical equipment exceeding the previously approved height on the existing treatment facility, subject to conditions in the adopted resolution.

What the record shows: Staff and the applicant said the proposed increase to 47 feet is needed to meet current state treatment standards and to return the plant toward its permitted capacity. Notices were sent to owners and occupants within 300 feet; staff reported no written public opposition in the record at the hearing.

Next steps: SGVWC will proceed with design and permitting consistent with the variance approval and file the necessary local notices and CEQA notice of exemption.