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Councilors move salvage, recycling and biomass items under council review citing waterfront concerns
Summary
Committee members voted to replace 'Board of Appeals' with 'City Council' as the special‑permit granting authority for material salvage and recycling, biomass recycling, and recycling collection facilities while the city solicitor researches whether the uses can be prohibited in certain zones.
Councillor Choquette moved to strike the Board of Appeals as the special‑permit granting authority and replace it with City Council for several recycling and salvage uses in industrial districts; the committee approved the amendment by voice vote.
Councillor Lopes described past waterfront industrial operations (e.g., recycling and metal‑scrap activity) that generated early‑morning noise, saying "the noise was astronomical… 05:00 in the morning" and urged caution about allowing intensive salvage operations near residential edges. Counsel and staff agreed to strike BA and place temporary control with the council while counsel researches whether the city can lawfully impose a complete prohibition ('N') in certain zones.
The committee also included biomass recycling and recycling collection in the amendment to avoid potential loopholes. Attorney Garatowski said he would prepare ordinance language reflecting the committee motions and check the state law implications.
