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Escalon planning commission denies proposed recycling drop‑off behind Dollar Savers, allows applicant 120 days to find alternate site
Summary
Commissioners voted unanimously to deny a conditional use permit for a CRV beverage container drop‑off at 2043 Jackson Avenue after neighbors voiced concerns about noise, theft, rodents and proximity to backyards; the applicant was granted 120 days to seek another location without repaying fees.
The Escalon Planning Commission denied a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed California redemption value (CRV) beverage container recycling drop‑off to operate in the rear parking lot of Dollar Savers at 2043 Jackson Avenue, citing neighborhood compatibility concerns.
Staff described the proposal as a staffed drop‑off center to receive and weigh CRV bottles and cans, compensate customers, store recyclables on‑site and haul material off once or twice weekly. Operating hours proposed were Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and staff estimated roughly 50 customers per day. Staff recommended a set of conditions to mitigate nuisances: a non‑metal ("tough‑shed") structure matching adjacent colors, limited hours of operation, no bottle crushing, sound‑dampening interior treatments, landscaping buffers (such as tall, narrow Italian cypress), daily trash removal, a required washdown area with a grease/sand interceptor and a pest‑control contract.
During the public hearing multiple nearby residents testified in opposition. Steven Park said robberies have occurred in the rear parking area and said the proposed location would sit directly behind his house. Kristen (speaker 19) said the shelter would back up to her pool and outdoor living space and voiced concerns about noise, odors, rodents and reduced property values. Several residents said they had already filed written comments with the city.
Commissioners asked staff about the practicality and effectiveness of mitigation. Staff cited a field test of glass transfer noise that produced 150 decibels at 5 feet when pouring glass from one container to another; staff said that informed the recommendation to prohibit bottle crushing and require sound dampening. Commissioners and the police chief flagged continuing concerns about visibility, parking circulation in the narrow drive aisles, potential theft or vandalism in a tucked‑away rear lot and the limited space available for landscaping buffers to effectively screen the facility.
Applicant Pablo Rodriguez spoke in his own defense, saying he operates several similar facilities in other cities without issues and pledged to secure pest control contracts and cameras. He also said he would continue to search for an alternate site if this location proved unsuitable.
Commissioner (speaker 14) moved to deny the Conditional Use Permit under Escalon Municipal Code section 17.56.030 and to allow Mr. Rodriguez 120 days to find another location without repaying application fees; the motion was seconded and passed on a unanimous vote.
The denial means the proposed facility will not be allowed at the Dollar Savers parking location as presented; staff noted that the applicant may revise the application or seek a different site and return to the commission.
