River Metals to apply for junkyard use

River Metals Recycling is preparing an application for a conditional use hearing to bring a junkyard operation to South Fairmount.

The 7.8-acre property, at 1951 State Avenue, is zoned MG Manufacturing General and can only house a junkyard with approval of the conditional use.

Last month, Lower Price Hill Community Council (LPHCC) president Dr. Jack Degano asked the City not to approve the plans until residents of his neighborhood got the opportunity to view them.

At a LPHCC meeting on October 6, residents soundly rejected the plan, fearing the over-concentration of polluting industry and noise near their homes and businesses.

Spokesmen for River Metals and parent company David J. Joseph Company say that the facility would accept and store a multitude of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap metal, and would also accept junked vehicles.

Shipments would remain at the site for between one to three weeks, and they agreed that the junkyard would be noisy during its hours of operation.

Once that conditional use application is received by the City, all property owners within 100 feet and the LPHCC will be notified within 14 days of the scheduled hearing.

Based in Fort Mitchell, River Metals Recycling is the largest scrap processor in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky with 11 processing facilities between Paducah and Xenia.

Photo credit: "Bayard Street Scrapyard (Baltimore, MD)" by Flickr user takomabibelot

Previous reading on BC:
Lower Price Hill fighting proposed junkyard (10/9/08)