Massachusetts City Approves Scrap Metal Project

The city of Westport, Mass., Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a special permit submitted by Excel Recycling LLC to build a scrap metal recycling facility in the city.

The board voted to grant with conditions a special permit relief to change or alter a lawfully pre-existing, nonconforming use at the property because the board found that there was a change or alteration of a lawfully pre-existing, nonconforming use and that any such change or alteration would not be substantially more detrimental as conditioned below than the existing use by a vote of 5-0.

The board, while recognizing that the change in the facility took place, would allow the granting of the special use permit as the new operation “is not substantially more detrimental than the original nonconforming use, provided that the following conditions of approval are satisfied:”

·         Hours of operation for heavy equipment, deliveries and noise generating activities are limited to Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

·         Operations shall be conducted so as to prevent traffic back-ups on the surrounding roads by implementing effective measures such as relocating truck scales, rerouting truck traffic and deliveries and proper scheduling of deliveries.

·         The operator shall make every effort to reduce and control noise by relocating noising equipment and activities, installation of effective noise barriers or other effective measures and shall conduct the use in conformance with all applicable local, state and federal requirements.

According to Worcester Telegram & Gazette, the two partners on the project are Larry McKissick II, owner of PCK Realty LLC and Charlton Welding, and Marty Costa, who has operated a scrap yard in Westport since 2003.

The 89,000-square-foot parcel, which contains a scale house and truck scale, is part of the 46-acre site approved by the Planning Board in August. At the time,McKissick was to resume operation of a defunct industrial recycling operation, Recycle Technology LLC (RecTec), a former tenant on his land at 17 Griffin Road. The company’s assets were bought through bankruptcy court by Charlton Welding.