Chico Scrap Metal: City Council under pressure to revoke permit order

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The city of Chico Council may be forced to reconsider its earlier decision allowing Chico Scrap Metal to continue operating at on 878 E. 20th St., Chico, California. This follows filing of the referendum document by the citizen group “Move the Junkyard” with more than ample number of signatures to force the Council to re-assess its decision.

The referendum managed to garner 7,255 signatures, according to Council spokesperson. The group was required to collect only 5,001 votes-10% of the voting population’s support to force a review of the decision. The County review of the referendum was culminated when 5,050 signatures were verified. The review was forwarded to the City on December 27^th. The Council now has three options- repeal the approval, call for special election or delay the decision until next general municipal election which is due in 2018.

Meantime, Chico Scrap Metal owner Kim Scott stated that it looking at options to challenge the referendum and lawsuit. It also expressed its willingness to relocate, provided it gets assistance from the city to meet the projected relocation expenses.

“Move the Junkyard” in partnership with nonprofit Northern California Environmental Defense Center has announced that it will pursue legal action against the city, demanding a court order that would force the government agency to undo its former action. The group demanded relocation of the facility to a proper zone, thereby preventing environmental harm.

Amidst protests from neighborhood communities, the City Council had earlier granted permission to Chico Scrap Metal to operate at its current site. The protestors had alleged that the site spreads harmful chemicals, impacting the health of people living around. Citizen group “Move the Junkyard” had later taken up the campaign against the facility, by launching a referendum campaign.

In 2004, six businesses including CSM were asked to relocate/ shut down, citing non-conformance of industrial and commercial operation in the Chapman Mulberry neighborhood. All the other five businesses relocated. In 2006, CSM secured five-year extension of the deadline. In 2011, the deadline was again extended for another five years until October this year. The council meeting held during May this year, by way of a 4-3 vote, had decided not to take action to relocate the scrap facility. In October 2016, the council members voted to allow the scrap metal firm to continue operations at its current site.

Earlier in 2008, the State of California Department of Toxic Substance Control (DTSC) had fined Chico Scrap Metal for its uncontained toxins. In addition, the agency had mandated a cleanup of the site.

About Chico Scrap Metal

Chico Scrap Metal (CSM), established in 1983, is a family operated business supporting the community in their personal and business recycling needs. The easily accessible location at East 20^th Street provides safe and proper recycling of materials that would otherwise be discarded in landfills. CSM works with local businesses and individuals to provide bins to recycle metals. The company retrieves the materials from the bins which are recycled in an environment-friendly manner. The company is a major recycler of all ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metals.