Padnos Planning Move Of Storage Area

The Holland Township, Mich., Planning Commission approved a special use permit for the Louis Padnos Iron & Metal Co. to move a storage area.

Padnos wants to move its current Black River scrap metal storage site located in the township.

The company is looking to move into the property on Lakewood, which is being vacated by Waste Management.

Al Tomes, Padnos' director of facilities and management, said once the deal is closed, the company will start moving scrap metal within 90 to 120 days from one site to the other.

Even though the planning commission approved the special use permit, commissioners added restrictions pending a visit to the site. Commissioners were afraid that the company would pile their scrap metal so that it could be seen from U.S. 31.

"We need to be assured that the site doesn't look worse than it is now," said Commissioner Dennis Gebbin.

Tomes said Padnos plans to take as many precautions as they can to make the scrap metal yard look presentable, which includes placing high fences to keep the area's aesthetics.

Marion Hoeve, commission president, said 25 feet is the maximum limit for scrap metal heights.

While planning commission members initially had reservations about approving the special use permit, fearing Padnos might start using the site for processing, Hoeve said the way he read the proposal, it meant the facility would be used only for storage purposes.

The planning commission decided to approve the permit with several restrictions, including scrap piles that must not exceed 20 feet, indoor processing only, screening issues and the size of the sign on the outside of the location.

Tomes would not disclose why Padnos was moving from its Black River location. Holland Sentinel