NLV recycling yard faces closure

Diana Sahagun

Thursday, Jan. 11, 2001 | 10:09 a.m.

A North Las Vegas salvage yard could be shut down unless it complies with city requirements that have been ignored for two years.

The North Las Vegas Planning Commission Wednesday recommended that the city's redevelopment agency decide whether to revoke a use permit for Liberty Recycling if in the next 27 days the business does not comply.

The salvage yard has not obtained several licenses that it needs, it does not have sprinklers or a hydrant to guard against fire, and its clutter could keep a fire truck from reaching the site in case of a fire, officials said.

Commissioners weighed the safety issues against their reluctance to shut a business down, but decided to declare the yard noncompliant and ask the redevelopment agency to consider revoking the permit at its Feb. 7 meeting if the conditions are not met.

The fire department has warned the business that it is unsafe, explaining that if a fire broke out, there is no guarantee a fire truck could get to the location because of the clutter.

"The risk is present, and I in good conscience as the deputy fire chief have to tell you that," North Las Vegas Deputy Fire Chief Jim Stubler said. "We supported the application two years ago under the condition that it would be safe. I believe it to be unsafe at this point in time."

On Dec. 12, 1998, the commission approved a use permit for Liberty Recycling to allow a salvage yard at 130 W. Owens Ave. The business recycles construction materials, wood, cardboard and metals.

When the item was approved by the redevelopment agency, it was subject to 14 conditions.

In the two years since the permit was approved, city code enforcers have had an active case against the company. Owner Irma Huerta has not applied for a business license or a permit from the Clark County Health District, city and health district officials said.

Stubler said Huerta also never added fire sprinklers to all structures on the site or fire hydrants, as required.

The property does have business licenses for Desert Janitorial, run by Huerta's brother; Chaquita Janitorial, a construction cleanup company; and Starwood, a wood manufacturing company.

Attorney J.T. Moran asked to keep the business open for 30 days, explaining he had been retained only 24 hours before the meeting and had not had time to review the case.

Moran said Huerta, who speaks Spanish, does not understand the requirements but is more than willing to meet all of the conditions. He added that Huerta has been poorly advised and did not have the opportunity to address the concerns until hiring a lawyer.