SA Recycling — a metal collection facility near West Southern Avenue and South Center Street in Mesa — is relocating about 200 feet to a larger site.
The Mesa Planning and Zoning Board voted 6-0 Jan. 8 as part of a consent agenda with other items to approve a site plan review and special-use permit for the 1-acre development. Boardmember Genessee Montes was absent.
The property is zoned general industrial and large collection facilities are permitted in that zoning district with approval of a special-use permit, Planner Jennifer Merrill said during a study session prior to the meeting.
“There are existing structures on the property right now as well as some outdoor storage areas and parking areas. And this request is concurrent with a (substantial conformance improvement permit), which allows some modifications to the site to accommodate those existing structures right up against the front property line,” she said.
“The site plan shows the two existing buildings on the east side of the site as well as two new vehicle scales on the north central portion of the site and collection areas which are on the center portion of the site and toward the east side,” Merrill said.
Customers will enter the site from two driveways on the site’s east side off Center Street, she said.
“The alley on the west side of the site will have access into the site through a gate and that is just for the SA Recycling commercial vehicles for transporting the materials that are collected on the site and transporting those materials to a processing facility, which is located in Phoenix,” Merrill said.
Alex Hayes of Withey Morris Baugh PLC is the applicant. SA Recycling LLC is the owner.
SA Recycling purchased the property in 2024 and intends to relocate its existing facility at 12 W. Southern Ave. to the property, according to a written project narrative.
“SA Recycling’s existing operation fronts Southern Avenue and is encumbered by an SRP well site, which hinders site operations. The property, which is surrounded by similar (general industrial) uses, provides a more appropriate setting for SA Recycling and will allow for more efficient operation of their business,” it states. “SA Recycling proposes to operate on the property a metal recycling collection facility, wherein individuals can deliver/sell materials for further processing at a separate facility owned by SA Recycling in the city of Phoenix. No processing will occur on site, and truck deliveries from the property to the processing facility are not anticipated to exceed one per day.”
The seven-member board conducts hearings and makes recommendations to the city council on requests for changes in zoning and on required site plans. The board also considers and recommend changes in the city’s long-range plans and in the municipal code concerning planning and zoning matters. Members are appointed for staggered terms of three years.
Richard H. Dyer can be reached at rdyer@iniusa.org, or on X @rhdyer. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.
Meet Richard Richard Dyer has worked at Independent Newsmedia Inc. USA since 1987, starting his career in Apache Junction as a copy editor and being promoted over the years to work as the editor of the Mesa Independent, news services editor for the East Valley office in Apache Junction, managing editor for the East Valley office, news services editor for the East Valley office and eventually also for the newspapers at INI’s then-Chandler office, managing editor again and as a news editor covering Apache Junction/Gold Canyon and Queen Creek. He helped start the Florence Independent while the news editor covering Apache Junction and Mesa news. In January 2023, he became associate managing editor for the East Valley newspapers and in August 2023 became managing editor for the East Valley newspapers of Chandler/Tempe, Gilbert, Queen Creek, Florence, Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon, while also reporting on Mesa and Apache Junction/Gold Canyon.
Community: Since 2009, he has worked as a volunteer to design The Blue Guitar Magazine, Blue Guitar Jr. magazine and Unstrung magazine, which are projects of The Arizona Consortium for the Arts; and since 2014, has been overseeing the art submissions.
Education: University of Arizona with a master of arts in journalism and a bachelor of science in agricultural communication. Also continuing education at Mesa Community College in welding in a metal art sculpture class.
Random fact: Saw his first tornado on May 31, 2010, which was classified as an EF-2, as part of a stormchasing tour group.
Hobbies: He is an artist of welded-steel sculptures, selling his artwork at juried and non-juried art shows.
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