California scrap recycler wins in effort to stay put

A California scrap recycling firm has been granted permission from its city government to stay in place despite the NIMBY (not in my back yard) sentiments expressed by some neighboring property owners.

The near-term fate of Chico Scrap Metal in Chico, California, was decided at a Tuesday, May 3, city council meeting, according to an online article from the Chico Enterprise-Record.

By a 4-3 vote, the council voted not to take action to force the scrap company to move from its home on East 20th Street in Chico. However, even some of the council representatives who voted in favor of allowing the company to stay say they would have voted differently if the city had money within its budget to help Chico Scrap Metal move to a different location.

The Enterprise-Record article provides detailed coverage of the May 3 council meeting, including remarks from Chico residents who say they believe Chico Scrap Metal is well managed, but they still would support the city if it is able to help the company move.

The future of the company remains uncertain, as the city has a master plan which calls for industrial properties such as Chico Scrap Metal to be moved.

Other residents and at least one city councilor are quoted as being less supportive of Chico Scrap Metal, with one council representative saying, “This neighborhood issue is much too important to allow Chico Scrap Metal to stay. We have given them extension after extension after extension.”