Scrap Yard Workers Support Colton Shredder

Workers from auto scrap yards across Southern California packed a Planning Commission meeting Tuesday to support their boss's embattled efforts to bring a regional car shredder to a Colton scrap yard.

At a public hearing, more than 100 workers wearing badges that read "Pacific Rail-Good for the community" outnumbered residents who said they were concerned about air and noise pollution from industrial machinery that can make a meal of 1,000 cars an hour.

The commission took no action. The panel ultimately will recommend that the City Council either approve or deny the project.

Charles Siroonian presented changes to his shredder proposal that he said were brought about by concerns expressed by homeowners and commissioners. Siroonian is president of Pacific Rail Industries, a Colton rail car dismantling yard, and owner of 26 towing yards in the region.

Two public workshops preceded Tuesday's hearing.

Siroonian said that regulatory agencies did not require changes to the project, which is still under environmental review.

He promised to store the hazardous waste from car seats in a structure and that he would prohibit other hazardous materials from coming onto the site.

The 19-acre site would be surrounded by walls and landscaping 13 feet high, he said. Press Enterprise