The company has submitted over $300,000 worth of independent technical reports, environmental analyses, geotechnical reports and a traffic study. The studies showed no significant impacts. The new metal recycling plant is likely to create at least 21 new jobs.
We have a situation where we are trying to improve the area, said Councilman Bill Molinari. The reason why the area is the way that is because of these types of businesses. It isn’t an operation bringing in 50 to 100 new jobs.
Molinari said that the land is a Brownfields area, a designation that qualifies a parcel for federal money to clean up pollution. It used to be a dump. The land is presently under study for alternative uses.
The recycling center will be built near Telegraph Road and I-5 Freeway. It is bounded by other companies, including Belmont Fibers Inc.
This is a heavy industrial area, said Michael Huntley, director of planning and community development. In a perfect world we would want to bring in a business that would generate more sales tax.
They have provided a lot of money and resources to clean-up the area, Huntley said.
Huntley said that the site is located within an area that was used as a landfill in 1950s for household and construction materials.
At one time I thought the same thing Molinari did, Mayor Rosie Vasquez said at the meeting. We can’t make a beautiful shopping center there. It’s just not feasible.
