Elkhart County Plan Commission members Thursday gave their stamp of approval to the construction of a new metal recycling facility in Concord Township.

Now, it’s up to the Elkhart County Commissioners to decided whether or not the deal is a go.

Submitted by Fort Wayne-based OmniSource Corp., the approved petition involved the granting of a conditional industrial unit development for the facility in a manufacturing-2 zone located at 58282 Ind. 19, just north of C.R. 24 in Elkhart.

According to Thomas Niezer, representing attorney for OmniSource, the company purchased the 14.07 acre site in 2008 after the previous owner, Sturgis Iron and Metal Co. Inc., declared bankruptcy. The site has sat virtually vacant for the past 10 years.

“OmniSource has looked at the site,” Niezer said. “It works very well for the type of facility being proposed.”

At present, Niezer indicated that OmniSource plans on constructing a 5,000-square-foot collection facility on a 3.6 acre section of the 14-acre site capable of accepting everything from aluminum cans and copper wire to industrial scrap and automobiles. The remaining acreage will be used for container storage.

“Absolutely no processing of metals will be performed on this site,” Niezer noted, adding that the site will only be used for the collection of scrap metal which will then be shipped to other company locations for processing.

Uses such as shredding, shearing, or baling of scrap metals will not occur on the site, though Niezer indicated automobiles will occasionally be flattened on the premises using a mobile mechanical flattener.

As for job potential, Niezer said the company plans to employ three to five individuals at the site with a total estimated payroll of between $100,000 and $170,000.

Total estimated capital investment for buildings and equipment associated with the project has been set between $350,000 and $900,000.

Despite these potential positives, several neighbors to the proposed recycling site were in attendance during Thursday’s meeting to ask questions and voice their concerns.

Kathy Drew, 27683 C.R. 24, Elkhart, has lived at her present home for 14 years, and is concerned with the effect installation of such a facility will have on her home and quality of life.

Of particular concern to Drew is what she fears will be excessive noise associated with the crushing of cars and the constant beeping of backup alarms on heavy equipment.

In addition, Drew said she does not feel the two proposed 10-foot chain link fences along the north and south boundaries of the facility will do enough to block excessive noise.

Concerns of safety were also raised by Drew during the meeting, particularly in the case of local children who she fears may attempt to gain access to the facility.

“Obviously I don’t want this in my back yard,” Drew said. “We as neighbors are very concerned. Please think about what you’re doing to our neighborhood.”

Site neighbor Warren House, 58150 Kreighbaum St., Elkhart, also raised several concerns during Thursday’s meeting centered primarily around issues of vandalism and property value.

House told commission members he is concerned that the presence of valuable metals such as copper at the site will attract vandals and criminal elements to the area.

In addition, House said he is concerned with the aesthetics of the site, and what effect such a site may have on the resale value of his property and the safety of the area water table.

In response to the concern of aesthetics, Niezer said the company already has plans to install buffers, fences and landscaping around the facility to minimize any unsightliness neighbors may encounter.

“It’s not a junk yard,” Niezer said. “It’s not going to become an eyesore for this community.”

As for the safety concerns associated with the area water table, Niezer said OmniSource has always had a strong commitment to environmentally responsible practices, and follows strict compliance with all federal, state, and local environmental laws.

County Commissioner and Plan Commission member Mike Yoder appeared to agree.

“OmniSource has a very, very good reputation,” Yoder said, adding that he does not feel construction of the recycling facility will have any adverse environmental effects on the surrounding area.

As for the noise issue, Yoder noted that while there will undoubtedly be some noise associated with the facility, a recycling center is by no means the noisiest operation currently allowed to locate in an manufacturing-2 zone.

“There could actually be a lot of uses in there that are a lot noisier,” Yoder said.

Once all grievances had been aired and the public hearing closed, a vote of 7-1 in favor of approving the proposal was cast by the commission. Commission member Meg Wolgamood was the proposal’s only dissenting vote.

With approval by the commission now official, the proposal will now move forward for final consideration and possible passage by the Elkhart County Board of Commissioners.

If approved by the Elkhart County Commissioners, Niezer indicated that OmniSource hopes to begin construction on the recycling facility as early as late spring, with completion slated for mid-summer of this year.