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Neighbors urge enforcement at 944 Old Church Road, citing new metal deliveries and unpermitted structures
Summary
Neighbors and appellants told the Village Council that a Clean and Lean order at 944 Old Church Road has not stopped ongoing scrapyard activity; speakers reported dump-truck loads of metal, an unpermitted 30x15 shed, a 60-tire pile and asked the village to require periodic inspections and a comprehensive compliance review of the original site development plan.
Pamela Whitney, who lives at 942 Old Church Road, told the Village Council the property at 944 Old Church Road continues to operate as a scrapyard despite a Clean and Lean notice. "There have been four dump trucks bringing metal, and another one came at 8:30 at night and unloaded for two hours," she said, and asked the village to retain inspection rights every four to six months.
Neighbors Amy Clement and others described the site as a continuing safety concern rather than merely an eyesore, calling out a remaining pile of about 60 tires and other flammable materials. "It's not about hiding it so we don't see it — it's a safety hazard for a fire that will burn for days," Clement said.
At the same meeting, appellant and neighbor Deborah de laator urged the council to treat the owner's withdrawal of amended Site Development Plan (SDP) 2603 as not authorizing site changes inconsistent with the original approved plan. She requested a comprehensive compliance review, asking the village to require removal of unpermitted shipping containers, sheds and screening, to restore required landscaping and drainage, and to enforce original hours and use limitations that, according to her reading, limited the prior approval to a small delicatessen with restricted hours and no open cooking.
Administrator Melanie Romero confirmed the Clean and Lean process is ongoing and that staff are gathering bids to remove scrap and unpermitted structures; she said a fuller report will appear in a future council packet. Council members asked Planning and Zoning and code enforcement to verify whether the property is operating outside the terms of the original SDP and whether the withdrawal of the amendment relieves or alters conditions imposed by that approval.
The council did not take formal enforcement action during the meeting beyond directing staff follow up. Residents asked the village to document inspection rights and any follow-up schedule in writing and to ensure that withdrawal of an amended application cannot retroactively authorize nonconforming site improvements.
The council’s next regular meeting will include continued review of consent-agenda items and staff follow-up; neighbors said they will monitor enforcement at 944 Old Church Road and return to the council if inspections show ongoing violations.
