ANAHEIM : Hearing Is Set on Wrecking Yard Fate

An auto-wrecking yard that has violated city codes and improperly stored toxic waste on its property may be forced to close.

Despite protests from its owner that he has acted to clean up the operation, a public hearing has been set to decide if the wrecking yard’s business permit should be revoked.

“I don’t know why we need to set a hearing,” said George Adams Jr., who owns the business at 3200 E. Frontera St. “It’s impossible to clean this place up when I’m fighting to stay in business.”

Orange County Steel Salvage Co., also known as Adams International Metals Inc., has violated codes since 1977, and has been cited by the city’s code-enforcement department 44 times in the past 14 years, according to city officials.

Among the most severe is a charge that toxic waste is stockpiled on the site, threatening to contaminate ground water and soil. About 44,000 tons of waste from shredded autos have been stored on the property, and both city and county health officials have tried for seven years to have the waste removed.

“Throughout the history of correspondence with (the owner), requests for extensions of time have been extensive,” according to a staff report on the business.

Additionally, the business was cited for failing to limit excessive smoke and dust emissions and operating a number of related businesses such as auto detailing and towing services without a permit.

Further, neighbors complained that the business caused parking and traffic problems.

Despite claims from Adams that he is improving the operation, a public hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 13. At that meeting, the City Council will decide whether to revoke or modify the permits that allow the business to operate.