South Gate Planning Commission sides with residents against truck yard operating without proper permits

The South Gate Planning Commission voted against an appeal to continue using a former recycling plant as a truck yard and a request for a zone change.

The controversial truck yard facility operating in South Gate was originally a recycling facility. The business located at 8530 Alameda Street opened in 1977 by Jack Engle, Co. and closed on March 27, 2020. Since then, the company has been operating a trucking yard with only a Temporary Use Permit (TUP).

South Gate residents voiced their concerns on the issue to the Planning Commission on March 18. 

The commission had already looked into this issue in 2023 when Senior Planner Yalini Siva presented a staff report, including a background on the previous company, change in company, and original issuance of a TUP. Community Development Director Meredith Elguira confirmed that the city approving the TUP in 2020 was an error. 

The location did not have the truck yard listed in the land use and it shouldn’t have to be allowed or permitted within the zone. However, the company is still operating. 

Community complaints

Several residents and community members opposed the appeal and zone change of the property. Opponents accuse the yard of pollution, groundwater and air contamination and hazardous chemicals that put the community’s health in danger. They also said the company has ignored the requests to not operate after working hours because the noise of the containers is extremely loud. 

Omar Ruiz was upset to see that the trucking yard has been operating without opposition from the City.

“Just look at the pictures they sent in their letter. It clearly shows two different operations, one on the left being the scrapyard, and one on the right with many trucks,” said Ruiz. “It is my understanding that at one time this site was supposed to be built for student housing, then it became a temporary truck yard in error, and now they want to make it permanent.”

South Gate resident Andrew Herrera said it is unacceptable that the City continues to side with this truck company that has been operating illegally for at least five years and with no accountability. 

“Two years ago the planning commission voted to deny Engle’s request to rezone its illegal truck yard and yet it’s still operating without permission,” he told the commissioners. “So I have to ask: what is the point of this meeting if there is no change? It’s just a formality, a way for the council to pretend they care and they are taking action when in reality nothing has been done to protect us.”

Jennifer Daley, member of SELA for a Better Tomorrow, questioned why Elgira was terminated after she confirmed the 2020 TUP was issued an error and recommended the property to cease its illegal operations.  

“Meredith was incredibly competent. She considered the health and of residents in her decision making, and she had a meaningful rapport with the community and the city mysteriously terminated from her position,” Daley said. “I'm wondering why she was fired, exactly. I don't know if that was because she pushed the unethical business practices here.”

Daley said for the past six months she has been questioning the city as to why the truck yard is allowed to operate without any citation or enforcement from the city.

The owner’s attorney said he is more than willing to work with the city to address issues such as truck traffic as well as  financially supporting related studies. They argued the property has been cleaned up and it has restrictive uses. 

The attorney also requested 10 years to terminate the work and to receive a permit that could be valid until at least 2035. 

Engle now has the option to accept the Planning Commission decision or appeal to the City Council.