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Board denies special‑exception for Spectrum Recycling at Brighton Street
Summary
The Board of Zoning Appeals denied a petition to establish a salvage and recycling center at 209 Brighton Street, finding the 2.17‑acre site fails multiple special‑use standards (minimum lot area, setbacks, screening) and raising health, drainage and land‑use concerns voiced by staff and neighbors.
On Dec. 9 the La Porte Board of Zoning Appeals voted to deny a special‑exception petition to allow a salvage and recycling center at 209 Brighton Street (Special Exception Use 25‑305).
Owner David Shaw testified that he has operated a recycling yard in La Porte for 26 years and said the business provided local economic benefit. “For 76 years, that yard has been serving the community,” Shaw said, recounting his company’s history and the payment arrangement with the city when the yard moved.
Staff presented the special‑use standards and nine additional use regulations that apply to salvage and recycling centers, including a 10‑acre minimum lot area, required setbacks from residential districts, screening, drainage and restrictions on material storage, and concluded the 2.17‑acre site failed to meet the standards. The staff report explicitly recommended denial, citing the site’s proximity to single‑family dwellings and a community garden and the lack of required lot area and screening.
Neighbors offered split testimony. James Sullivan, who lives across Pulaski Street, said he had no problem with the prior yard and urged approval. In contrast, Nick Ackerman, who lives nearby, raised environmental concerns about oil and hazardous liquids running off the site and said the current yard lacks drainage and filtration that would prevent contaminants from reaching municipal water.
Board members said the petition did not meet the ordinance criteria, specifically calling out the discrepancy between the minimum 10‑acre lot area required in the use regulations and the 2.17‑acre site before them. A motion to deny the special exception was moved, seconded and passed by the board.
Following the denial of item 6, the petitioner indicated that the related variance petition (item 7) would be withdrawn because it depends on approval of the special exception. The city and petitioner may pursue other locations or additional measures if they intend to refile.
