Alabama city denies permit to scrap metal dealer

The City Council of Birmingham, Alabama, has voted unanimously against a request by Jordan Industrial Services to operate a scrap metal recycling facility in the city. In denying the permit request, the council determined the scrap metal operation would pose a health risk to residents of the area, which is zoned as M2 Heavy Industry.

An online report from www.AL.com indicates Jordan Industrial Services was seeking to operate at a site that formerly was used as a scrap or salvage yard that operated under the name Kimerling Truck Parts.

Jordan already operates one scrap metal yard in the Avondale region of Birmingham. In applying for the permit for the second yard, the company stated its existing location never has received a citation from either the county or the state for being out of compliance.

Prior to the vote, Birmingham's chief of police; director of planning, engineering and permit; and the fire and rescue chief all had recommended issuing the permit. The chief health officer and public safety committee reportedly each had called for a denial of the permit.

Local media reports do not yet indicate whether Jordan will appeal the denial in a local court, potentially contending that its proposed operation is qualified to operate under the M-2 zoning rules.