Page 26
Recyclers News Press
A local zoning ordinance story surfaced last month
in Waterloo, Iowa and made an interesting industry
news blurb that tells more about the perception of a
salvage yard than reality. While reading the story
keep in mind the fact that the address is just seven
blocks from another new salvage facility (and IAR
new member) which sits next door to Alter Metal.
Below is an excerpt for the December 05, 2013
3:00 pm– Waterloo Courier:
“An abandoned industrial site on West Air-
line Highway has already created head-
aches for its neighbors. A new request to
establish a salvage yard on the 37-acre
site at 729 W. Airline Highway drew heavy
opposition from nearby homeowners who
packed a Planning, Programming and Zon-
ing Commission hearing Tuesday to voice
their concerns.
"How much noise does an auto salvage operation
make?" said Gary Lake, of 921 W. Airline Highway.
"I don't think it's right to do that to a community."
Other neighbors spoke out about the site contami-
nating their wells, driving down property values,
scaring away wildlife and ruining their peace and
quiet. "It's a beautiful part of the world, and there's
a lot of people that care for it," said Dennis Clark,
2204 Ashland Ave. "The city of Waterloo and the
state of Iowa have suffered enough because of that
piece of land."
Clark was referring to the previous owner, Christy
Corp., which dumped tires, concrete, fertilizer cans
and mountains of debris on the site before the com-
pany owners sold bank-secured machinery, de-
faulted on more than $1.7 million in business loans
and moved to Brazil.
City planning staff initially endorsed the salvage
yard, provided a proper fence was erected and lim-
its were placed on the operation to keep down
noise and eyesores. But planner Chris Western
said the site "could have a negative effect on the
neighborhood." Staff later asked to table a decision
to clear up concerns about ownership and to get a
business operations plan from the owner. "The site
currently has significant amounts of junk accumu-
lated on it," said Western, noting city code enforce-
ment officers have taken action
related to the property.
Dan Hillman, a real estate bro-
ker who sold the land to Hoge-
lucht, said the Christy Corp. site
was cleaned up and the DNR
said no further action is required.
He also noted the property is
already zoned for industrial use,
including a salvage yard.
Kirk Eschilman, of Kess and Associates, surveyed
the land. He said fears of contamination from a sal-
vage yard were unfounded. "With the current rules
in place by DNR, this will not negatively affect the
neighborhood and it
will increase the tax
base," he said. He
said there were of-
fers on the table
contingent on the
zoning approval, but
he was not at liberty
to name the poten-
tial buyers.”
Salvage yard plan attracts
neighbors’ ire in Waterloo
In the News...
