New CRV Recycling Center Approved for Santa Maria Despite Resident Pushback

A proposed California Redemption Value (CRV) recycling center in Santa Maria of Santa Barbara County was greenlit by the city’s Planning Commission on May 20.

The Santa Maria Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit for the AGS recycling collection center planned for 1128 West Church Street in a 3-1 vote amid opposition from neighboring business owners and residents.

The proposed 0.39-acre project will be located in a commercial-manufacturing area and will serve a “convenience zone” near a Walmart Neighborhood Market, since Santa Maria does not have any CRV recycling facilities within its limits.

The facility will use an existing 1,820-square-foot building for the indoor storage of plastic bottles and aluminum cans to mitigate odor and noise. Glass items will be stored in a single outdoor container.

No on-site processing is planned, and, instead, materials will be transported to a facility in Arroyo Grande twice a week for processing.

Supporters of the recycling center, including a petition signed by 299 residents, said a local facility would help the Hispanic community and residents who don’t have reliable transportation.

Community Concerns

Many public speakers were concerned about the recycling center potentially attracting crime, adding litter, and increasing “transients” in an area that they said was already “conflicted.”

Some public speakers expressed fears of an increase in crime, particularly break-ins and thefts. Some speakers highlighted alley fires as a safety concern.

Nearby business owners said local police often have slow response times, sometimes taking as long as six hours or until the next day to address incidents.

A local landlord noted that CRV centers often result in foul odors and attract pests and rodents.

Many neighbors were concerned about increased trash and abandoned shopping carts.

Highlighting the facility’s potential impacts on traffic, some community members said the recycling center would lead to increased traffic, leading to vehicles queuing up on Church Street due to its single entry and exit point.

To address the traffic concerns, the project will restrict access to Church Street only and close off alley access to the public to minimize disruptions for neighboring businesses.

The site will also have 20 parking spaces, exceeding the required number of seven spaces.

Mitigation measures also included power washing the site twice a week and contracting a monthly exterminator service.

Lone Dissenting Vote

Commissioner Robert Dickerson cast the only dissenting vote, stating that he was concerned about the facility’s impact on the local neighborhood and whether it would attract and retain a transient population in the area.

One of his primary concerns was regarding loitering by homeless individuals.

He said that the recycling center would not only attract unsheltered individuals, but it is also uncertain if they would continue to stay in the neighborhood afterward.