Largo Concrete Loses Appeal to Operate Storage Yard

The Colton City Council last week split their vote on whether or not Largo Concrete could overcome the Planning Commission’s denial of a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application that was implemented back on Aug. 13 to operate a contractors’ storage yard at 240 East Congress Street (between Florez Street and the Southern Pacific railroad tracks). With this split vote by the Council - Council members Suchil, Navarro, and Mayor Pro Tem Toro voting no to overturn the denial and Council members Oliva, Gonzales, and Mayor Zamora voting in favor of the appeal with Council woman Bennett being absent - a stalemate occurred and the final decision reverted back to the Planning Commission's recommendation to deny the CUP. The central issues that were under discussion at the council meeting last Tuesday evening centered on the noise, truck traffic and possible pollution to the surrounding neighborhoods and schools in the local area. Largo Principal Ken Long said, “We intend to work with the residents who live in and around the property by maintaining a low profile both in truck traffic and noise. Since we have placed this property in escrow, we have cleaned up the foliage, painted the out buildings, and hauled away trucks and vehicles that were littering the area. Our intent was to be a good neighbor and minimize any noise and traffic issues of the past tenant.” In response to Long’s statement, Colton residents John Anaya and Dr. Luis Gonzalez (colloquially known as Dr. G) both commented that the owners of property around the proposed site are tired of the ongoing pollution by diesel fuel from the trucks traveling on Congress Road, the noise and vibrations of the traffic, and the possible health concerns that occur from the constant exposure to these unhealthful outside elements. Dr. G said, “I walked the neighborhood surrounding the storage yard and talked to approximately 150 local residents; 98 percent of those polled said they didn’t want to see Largo’s usage of the property approved.” The site was proposed to be used by Largo for storage of aluminum and steel frames with seven full-time employees and an estimated 2-3 flatbed truck trips and a semi-truck trip per day usage. The Colton Council was tasked with four alternatives at the Nov. 19 meeting, which were to: 1) Approve the Appeal and the Project and overturn the Planning Commission’s previous decision to deny the project, 2) Continue the Hearing to December 17, 2013, 3) Do Not Approve the Appeal and Uphold the Planning Commission’s Denial of the CUP application, 4) Provide alternative direction to staff and/or the Applicant. After hearing from each council member on the dais, Council Member Frank Gonzales made a motion to approve the appeal with Mayor Zamora seconding the motion. Council Member Oliva didn’t vote and Mayor Pro Tem Toro, Council Members Suchil and Navarro voted no - the motion died. Mayor Pro Tem Toro made motion to not to approve the appeal with Suchil seconding the motion and Navarro voting no; Mayor Zamora voted against the motion along with Council Members Gonzales and Oliva. The City Attorney said, “Since the vote is a stalemate, the final decision reverts back to the Planning Commission’s denial of the Application for a Conditional Use Permit to operate a concrete contractors’ storage yard on the existing 7.6-acre developed site located at 240 E. Congress Street."