Padnos Iron and Metal has requested for a state air permit to install and operate a new shredding processing facility in Howell, Michigan. This proposal follows similar requests denied earlier this year when the company faced complaints regarding its plans to build the new industrial metal processing site.
If approved by the state, the recycling facility will consist of a ferrous scrap metal shredder and equipment that will separate recyclable metal from waste that will be directed to a landfill. However, the proposed system would produce emissions into the environment at volumes requiring an air permit.
The recycler originally pursued three modifications for its facility that already had site plan approval and a special land use permit. Two of the requests involved keeping gravel instead of paving the storage and drive areas, while the third was to get consent for an industrial shredder to be placed outdoors as opposed to inside a covered building.
These plans were met with criticism from local residents who were concerned about air and groundwater quality as well as noise. The City Board of Zoning appeals (BZA) denied the requests in February but was not authorized to oppose a prior verdict by the Planning Commission that approved the site plan and special use permit.
Padnos filed a claim against the city due to the BZA’s denial, challenging that the company is rightfully operating on a part of the property, not within the area that had been rejected by the BZA. A virtual meeting and public hearing will be held on November 10 regarding the planned permit changes.
According to media reports, the Howell City manager, Paul DeBuff said a decision on the actions required by Padnos would be made only after reviewing the air quality permit. In the meantime, the matter is part of a legal process and the city awaits a court date.