Residents report weeks of sulfurous odors linked to West Berkeley asphalt plant; city urged to press for monitoring

During non‑agenda public comment, several residents described weeks of strong, sulfurous odors in West Berkeley and urged the city to intervene.

"It's been a potent sulfurous odor, kind of like a match striking, kind of like sewage," said Mike Perlmutter, who identified himself as a District 1 resident. Perlmutter said he and neighbors logged about 200 complaints to the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and that the agency determined the emissions came from the Lehigh Hanson asphalt plant at 699 Virginia Street. "After about 5 to 6 weeks, the district determined that the pollution was coming from the Lehigh Hanson Asphalt plant," he said. "They issued a one‑day notice of violation to the plant."

Perlmutter and other callers asked the city to press the district for more frequent monitoring, real‑time data and clearer remedies, arguing the odors create quality‑of‑life and health concerns for people working and schooling at home and for vulnerable residents.

Mayor Aragon referred the matter to the city manager for follow‑up. The council did not take immediate regulatory action at Tuesday's meeting; residents asked the city to coordinate with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District and report back with a plan to improve monitoring and communication.