Georgia City Considers Scrap Yard

The Macon-Bibb County Planning and Zoning Commission is hearing arguments by a company that is looking to build a scrap metal recycling facility at the site of a former Ralston Purina feed mill. According to the Macon (GA) Telegraph, Jim Rollin, who submitted the request, is looking at having the location of the former area changed from Wholesale and Light Industrial District to an Industrial District.

According to the local press, the commission's staff recommends denial of the rezoning.

Plans are to remove the majority of the tanks and grain bins, but retain a 32,000-square-foot building to store recycled materials and an 8,800-square-foot metal building that would contain an automobile crusher.

The commission's staff report noted at least two problems in its recommendation to deny the request.

An operation of this type is not allowed within 300 feet of a residential district, and there are residential districts both to the east and west of the site less than 300 feet away.

Also, regulations stipulate that an operation of this type is not allowed on a state or federal highway, and the street where the recycling yard is being proposed is classified as both.