The Columbus Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) is considering allowing a local resident to remove a scrap metal and junk yard from nearly seven acres to operate a concrete-recycling facility, The Republic reports.
The proposed conditional use for the property at 2561 N. Indianapolis Rd. would allow Chris Rice’s organization to take concrete from demolition sites that will be stockpiled on the site.
The case, which went before the BZA in late August, was continued until Sept. 26 after neighboring property owners said they wanted to learn more about the proposal, city-county planning director Jeff Bergman said.
Bergman also said the planning department intends to gather more details about the noise that would be generated from the facility.
Rice has proposed for a crusher to reduce the size of concrete material stored on the property. The application also indicates metal rebar in the concrete will be removed and sent to a scrap metal facility for recycling before the finished product is sold to contractors, the published report says.
Columbus attorney Jeff Rocker, representing Rice, said the service would allow material to be reused and save material that otherwise would find its way to a landfill.
“There’s a big push through recycle, repurpose, reuse,” Rocker said. “Stone doesn’t contaminate the soil. It doesn’t leak. It doesn’t smell bad.”
Rocker said the facility would be located about 1,200 ft. away from the nearest creek and 2,000 ft. away from homes that are located on Riverside Dr.
He said dust would be restricted because water will be sprayed on the crushed concrete as it comes out of the machine.
Rocker said his client is open to having a neighborhood meeting. “I think if people were aware of the details, it would create less anxiety,” Rocker said.
He said, if the application is approved, Rice hopes to be in operation in about six months.
