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ZBA allows Alliance Metal Recycling on undersized lot, requires indoor sorting
Summary
The Zoning Board approved a dimensional variance that allows Alliance Metal Recycling (CMCW Holdings) to operate on a 0.87‑acre parcel at 850 E. Crosstown Parkway (2‑acre minimum) after staff recommended approval provided all sorting occurs inside the building. The board added that condition and approved the request unanimously.
Kalamazoo — The City of Kalamazoo Zoning Board of Appeals approved a dimensional variance on Nov. 13 allowing Alliance Metal Recycling (CMCW Holdings) to operate a recycling facility on a 0.87‑acre parcel at 850 East Crosstown Parkway where the zoning ordinance normally requires at least 2 acres for such uses.
Chance Woods, representing Alliance Metal Recycling, said the business conducts indoor sorting and repackaging of recyclable materials and does not perform heavy outdoor processing. “We basically just acquire recyclable materials,” Woods said, describing a model of indoor sorting and consolidated outbound shipments rather than on‑site shredding or melting.
Planning staff told the board the ordinance’s 2‑acre minimum and fencing requirement mainly address heavy outdoor storage and salvage yards; staff recommended the board grant a variance because this operation will be primarily indoors and it fits the M‑2 character, but asked the board to condition approval on an explicit requirement that all sorting occur inside the building.
Board members amended the motion to include that condition, seconded and approved it by roll call; all voting members supported the variance. The board instructed planning staff to enforce the indoor‑sorting condition through permit and inspection processes.
The approval allows Alliance Metal Recycling to continue in a larger leased industrial building rather than the smaller prior location, with the explicit limitation that sorting and similar material handling occur indoors.
