Scrap Yard Proposal Drawing Unusual Opposition

By Dave Franzman, Reporter

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By Dave Franzman

Story Created: Dec 3, 2008 at 5:29 PM CST

Story Updated: Dec 3, 2008 at 6:27 PM CST

CEDAR RAPIDS - A plan to locate a scrap metal recycling business in southwest Cedar Rapids is drawing some unusual opposition.

A-Line Iron and Metal of Waterloo hopes to build a metal salvage yard employing up to 30 workers. It would be located in an industrial area south of Wilson Avenue just off 12th Street S.W. But the facility would border the offices of KZIA and KGYM radio. And that's the unusual part of the opposition.

Operators of the two stations have repeatedly aired public service announcements opposing the scrap yard plan. In addition, the stations have also posted information on a web site urging listeners and neighbors living in the area to protest the plan...and attend an upcoming meeting to stop the proposal.

KZIA/KGYM President Eliot Keller said "it doesn't fit with the character of the neighborhood now...it doesn't fit with the city's long term land use plan and there are better locations in Cedar Rapids for this type of facility."

Keller says one specific complaint, aside from general opposition, is whether the nearby noise of trucks and metal scrap would interfere with broadcasting at the station. Keller is worried that noise from that nearby activity would filter in despite soundproofing in the studios.

But Kyle Stone, owner of A-Line, disputed that the scrap yard he's proposed would create the kind of noise that would disturb the radio station.

Stone also insists his business is one that's needed in Cedar Rapids. "Since the floods, businesses have been moving out of Cedar Rap[ids and I'm trying to move a business in and generate money for the tax base for the community," he said.

The scrap yard needs just one bit of approval from the city to locate in the industrial-zoned area. That's a conditional use permit.

A Board of Adjustment hearing is set for Monday, December 8th at 3:00 p.m. at the temporary city hall office in Cedar Rapids. That hearing will determine if the plan goes forward...or the opposition airing on radio airwaves prevails.

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