Connecticut Town Tightens Standards

New solid waste facilities would be prohibited under zoning amendments approved by the Board of Aldermen, and stricter standards are in place for operating junk yards, automobile recycling shops and scrap metal processing plants.

Meanwhile, the City Plan Department and aldermen have instituted stricter permitting processes designed to "respond to a significant concern in the community; protect the overall health, safety and welfare of the city; and conform to the new comprehensive plan of development," according to City Plan Director Karyn Gilvarg.

A city moratorium on these types of operations went into effect in 2003 and expires Nov. 9.

The moratorium gave city staff time to revamp the zoning ordinance, in order to curb an onslaught of new or expanded processing and recycling facilities concentrated in New Haven neighborhoods, particularly the Annex, Hill, Fair Haven and Foxon/Fair Haven Heights.

Many of the proposed facilities are banned under municipal laws in surrounding towns. "The burden tends to come to New Haven," said Alderwoman Andrea Jackson-Brooks, co-chairwoman of the Joint Community Development/Legislation Committee.

During public hearings held by the City Plan Commission and Board of Aldermen, members of the New Haven Environmental Justice Network and Urban Design League aired concerns about environmental justice and the city’s out-of-compliance status with air quality standards for particulate emissions.

The new rules require detailed site plans, 200-foot buffers and provisions for suppressing noise and odors, preventing fires and explosions and managing dust, debris and storm water runoff.

"The city and environmental justice advocates really have to get controls on this in New Haven," said Anstress Farwell, president of the Urban Design League. "I do hope they hang tight on the 200-foot buffer zone. I think that’s absolutely a legitimate standard."

Jackson-Brooks said existing solid waste facilities have six months to apply for a special permit to continue operating.

Solid waste is defined in the ordinance as discarded solid, liquid, semisolid or gaseous material such as demolition debris, tires, material burned or otherwise processed at a recovery facility or incinerator or sludge from a water pollution abatement facility, water supply treatment plant or air pollution control facility.

The newly formed Greater New Haven Water Pollution Control Authority would be exempt, records show.

Edward Mattison, D-10, said amendments are needed to the Board of Zoning Appeals rules so that applicants may not circumvent the new ordinance amendments.

"It seems to us everyone should follow the rules as written, and there should be no opportunity to vary them," Mattison said. "That’s in the works." New Haven (Connecticut) Register