Commission recommends renewal for Recycling Connections’ metal-recycling CUP at 9985 E. 104th Ave

The Commerce City Planning Commission recommended approval of a conditional use permit renewal for Recycling Connections Incorporated, which operates a metal recycling facility at 9985 East 104th Avenue.

Staff said the site, zoned I-3 (heavy-intensity industrial), has operated under prior conditional use permits since 2015 and has complied with earlier conditions. The presentation noted the property was annexed in 2007 and that the current application is a renewal after an expiration in December.

Dominic Brienza, speaking for the applicant, said the facility accepts a range of metals (copper, aluminum, brass, stainless steel, lead, and certain electronic scrap) and that materials are consolidated from across Colorado and nearby states. He said small public drop-off operations and larger commercial receipts are processed on-site and that shipments leave in trailers or end dumps depending on material.

Commissioners asked about origins of raw material, how quickly vehicles are removed if stored on-site, and inspection frequency. Brienza said crushed cars can be on-site no longer than 72 hours and that the facility ships processed materials within 24–72 hours. Staff described compliance tools including aerial imagery (updated multiple times per year), routine code-enforcement drive-bys, and annual inspections by the fire department; the state also inspects scales and other compliance items.

Commissioner questions focused on how often staff uses aerial imagery for compliance and how enforcement is triggered; staff said complaints generally prompt closer review but code enforcement performs regular checks across the city.

Commissioner Kiefer moved and Commissioner Sanchez seconded a motion finding the renewal meets the land development code criteria with existing conditions; the motion passed 5-0.

The commission’s vote was a recommendation to the City Council for final action.