Will an illegal truck yard stop functioning in South Gate? City Manager explains the process

On March 18, the South Gate Planning Commission voted against an appeal and zone change for a property that originally was a metal recycling plant but, in 2020, transitioned to a truck yard. 

Despite the vote, some residents doubt the efficacy of their local government. The business, located at 8530 Alameda Street, is owned by Jack Engle, Co. Since 2020, the company has been operating with a Temporary Use Permit (TUP) issued an error.  In 2023, the planning commission prohibited them from operating as a truck yard. However, the plant is still functioning. 

Residents assumed that the city allowed the company to operate illegally and was turning a blind eye for financial benefit.  

South Gate City Manager Rob Houston said the city council and staff are committed to ensure that people are using their properties according to their zoning code. 

“We are not trying to support any operations that are not using their property correctly,” Houston said.

Houston wasn’t the city manager in 2023, but he said the previous city manager and community development director held “extensive discussions” with the property owners to comply voluntarily but never reached an agreement. 

“The attempt was to try to find a mutual path, have them transition to a legal use,” he said.

The process

Houston said the company has until April 8 to appeal the decision to the City Council.  If the appeal is made, council members will be in charge of determining whether the Planning Commission’s decision stands. 

“If they do not submit an appeal, we will work on legal action to tell them to cease and desist that action on the property,” Houston said. “We’ll give them notice and get compliance through legal matters if they don't voluntarily stop operating in the property.”

He said that while the company cannot keep operating as a truck yard, South Gate has a list of permitted uses for that site that provide many options for the property owner.

The land use type for this property, according to its zone code, includes a residential care facility or a child daycare facility in a small home. The owner will have to obtain a Code Compliance Certificate first.

CALÓ News tried to contact Engle through his legal team SOMOS Law Group. However, they declined to comment yet, as they are still “conferring internally.”