Recycling Facility Sparks Outrage among Locals

Several South Gate residents and business owners are strongly opposing the placing of a small recycling collection facility, which will focus on plastics, on the parking lot of the shopping center at 3223 Firestone Boulevard. Claiming that the quality of life and business costs that could be associated with this establishment, need to be considered before the South Gate City Council makes a decision during their next meeting.

“It seems to me like recycling centers leave their mark with stains, debris, as well a smell that brings flies,” said Edward King, 60, a longtime State Street resident, whose home is located across the recycling structure. “This could deteriorate the neighborhood and possibly create health hazards.”

Business owners within the shopping center, like Maria Concepcion Tabarez, 49, owner of Mixteca Restaurant, also believe that a recycling center could bring some undesirable health threats.

“This could bring flies, mice, and cockroaches,” warned Tabarez. “All of that will damage our area.”

The owners of the recycling center insist that it is in their interest to run a clean operation. Stating that compliance with these concerns was cited as a “condition” by the planning commissions approval.

“We are in the business of being a good tenant and neighbor,” said Jerry Koulouvaris, a representative of the owner, Minas Chirishyan.  Further stating that Chirishyan has other recycling properties, such as one in Downey, and has not had any issues. “We have no choice but to keep it clean.”

Sanitation issues have not been the only concern raised by opponents. Parking has also caused business owners to express their opposition.  The recycling facility, which is a beige box like portable structure, is currently closed but set up on top of three parking spots. This is a fact that has business owners insisting that the shopping center already has enough problems with the number of available parking spots for customers.

“There is not enough room for the business that is being carried out here,” insisted Tabarez.

Bianca Juarez, assistant manager of Fresca Fruit, which is also located in the shopping center at 3223 Firestone Boulevard, confirmed concerns over parking spots.

“A few customer have told me that they don’t stop by as often because they cannot find parking,” said Juarez, who added that Fresca Fruit has parking concerns, but that they as of yet they do not support or oppose the recycling center.

City officials confirm that the recycling center has met with all of the city’s standards.  They also stated that parking was an issue that was studied by staff and carefully considered by the planning commission prior to their decision.

“Staff does do an analysis on whether parking meets code,” said Steve Lefever, Director of Community Development. “The business itself has met all city standards.”

South Gate has faced problems with recycling centers within its borders. Sanitation, noise, building code violations and other complaints have led the city to be more attentive before approving recycling centers.

“For some reason, over the past few years, some operators have not lived up to the expectation,” said Lefever, who admitted that the granting of permits for these establishments was at first routine. “[Staff and the planning commission] now look at these applications with a lot more of a critical eye.”

However, the recycling center is still meeting a lot of opposition despite having met all of the requirements.

At first the center was not approved by the planning commission, but was sent back by the City Council after they determined that the absence of an expert, resulted in the owner not having a fair shot at the permit.

Several months later, the planning commission eventually approved the recycling center upon closer inspection, and with certain conditions in the their second attempt. Giving the recycling center a caveat with its approval, where the operation will be monitored to ensure that it complies with standards.

The approval after the initial denying of the permit by the planning commission led a large number of residents to express their disgust with this decision. In fact, a large group of residents and business owners showed up to protest this during to the second regular City Council meeting of this past June.

This Tuesday has been set as the day where the City Council will entertain a public hearing on this topic. Here they will approve or deny the permit of this new business.

“The decision of the planning commission is not final until the City Council sustains it,” concluded Lefever. 

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