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Council overturns planning commission, approves mobile recycling (CRV) center at Plaza Boulevard
Summary
After hours of testimony and questions about traffic, noise and neighborhood impacts, the National City Council voted unanimously to overturn the planning commission's denial and approve a conditional use permit for a family‑run mobile CRV recycling center at 1240 E. Plaza Blvd, directing staff to enforce conditions and monitor impacts.
The National City Council voted unanimously Wednesday to overturn a planning commission denial and approve a conditional use permit for a mobile CRV recycling center proposed for 1240 East Plaza Boulevard.
The project, presented by operators Anthony Junior and his father, would place staffed recycling containers behind the South Bay Plaza shopping center and operate daytime hours intended to meet state recycling requirements for nearby “convenience zones.” Martin Reeder, the city's director of community development, told council the planning commission had denied the application earlier this fall because members concluded the use could be “a nuisance or injurious or detrimental to the public interest,” citing traffic and neighborhood concerns. Staff recommended approval with conditions to address circulation, noise and security.
"We plan to train and hire National City residents," said applicant Anthony Junior, describing 25 years of family operations in San Diego and a site plan that places containers away from the nearest houses. He said the center would be staffed at all times, would require customers to bring sorted materials, and that roll‑off pickups would typically occur about once a week. "Our presence will also help keep the area clean and safe," he said.
Neighbors who live above the shopping center told council they already endure frequent delivery truck idling, late‑night noise and instances of dumping at the rear alley. "Adding a mobile recycling center would intensify the problems," said Amanda Rojas, who lives directly behind Smart & Final, and urged council to uphold the commission's denial. Doyle Morrison, another nearby resident, said truck movements across an uneven alley could transmit noise into homes and questioned whether container placement would block existing parking and transformer access.
Council members said they had weighed the neighborhood concerns against a regulatory gap: state law requires major grocery stores to provide recycling access or face penalties. Several members noted National City currently lacks a recycling center that serves multiple convenience zones and that a well‑conditioned, staffed operation can reduce illegal dumping if appropriately managed.
Councilmember Maynor (District 5) said he was "willing to give that a try," citing the applicant's experience and the city's ability to enforce conditions. Council directed staff to ensure required fire and circulation conditions — including a fire marshal review and limits on equipment — and to monitor the site after opening. The motion to overturn the planning commission and approve the CUP passed unanimously.
The council closed the public hearing and instructed staff to return if conditions needed amendment or if neighborhood complaints require further action.
The council did not set an implementation date; the applicant said the center would operate within the city's code requirements and start after required permits and conditions were met.
