1 EDCO TRANSPORT SERVICES
Condi�onal Use Permit/Transfer Processing Report Modifica�on Summary November 2023
i. FACILITY OVERVIEW
A. Introduc�on
On February 17, 2009, The City of Signal Hill (City) approved Condi�onal Use Permit (CUP) #CP 09-01 (Atachment 1) for the opera�on of the EDCO Recycling & Transfer (ER&T) Material Recovery Facility (MRF) (hereina�er referred to as the “Facility”). Subsequently, the Facility was constructed and successfully began opera�ons in April of 2012.
Given the amount of material generated within the region, as well as seasonal surges in the amount of waste generated, it has become apparent that the Facility needs to expand its permited tonnage limit of 1500 to 2500 tons per day (tpd). This permited tonnage increase to 2500 tpd is a maximum tonnage and will be able to account for seasonal spikes and fluctua�ons in volumes. These fluctua�ons can be caused by such things as the holidays, spring cleaning, brush clearing, etc..
The ability to safely and effec�vely operate at this threshold was demonstrated for over twentyseven (27) months (11/5/20 – 2/28/23) pursuant to Sec�on 17210.3 and subsequently 17210.2(d) of the California Code of Regula�ons (CCR) Title 14, the Local Enforcement Agency (LEA) issued an emergency waiver(s) of terms and condi�ons of the EDCO Transport Services Sold Waste Facility Permit #19-AA-1112 during the declared State emergency, as result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). These waivers were issued in 120-day increments on November 5, 2020, March 4, 2021, July 7, 2021, October 27, 2021, March 4, 2022, June 28, 2022, and again October 19, 2022, which allowed the Facility to operate at up to 2500 tpd.
The con�nued growth in the region, including increased public disposal (self-haulers) and seasonal surges, require addi�onal tonnage capacity and the emergency waiver granted demonstrated over a twenty-seven (27) month period that the Facility can operate safely at a 2500 tpd limit. As such, the proposed project is seeking to increase the maximum permited level to 2500 tpd.
Since the design elements allow for up to 6336 tpd of load out capacity, no physical changes to the Facility are necessary to accommodate the requested increase to a maximum of 2500 tpd.
In addi�on, the �pping floor can receive and store up to 3644 tons of material.
This modifica�on would require an adjustment in the permited vehicle traffic to the Facility.
The Facility along with the exis�ng street layout will handle the increased volume of vehicles without adversely impac�ng the surrounding community as was demonstrated over the more than twenty-seven (27) month emergency waiver period.
Attachment C
2 In addi�on, the Facility plays a significant role in reducing both air emissions and vehicle miles traveled, primarily through the consolida�on of loads. Benefits include, but are not limited to:
• Reducing overall community truck traffic by consolida�ng smaller loads into larger vehicles.
• Reducing air pollu�on, fuel consump�on and road wear by consolida�ng loads into fewer vehicles.
• Allows for screening of waste for special handling.
• Offers residents a convenient drop-off of waste and recyclables and reduces the overall impact of miles driven to a landfill through load consolida�on.
The ac�vi�es of the Facility include the manual sor�ng and transfer of residen�al, commercial and industrial refuse, transfer of self-haul public refuse, processing of materials collected by curbside recycling programs, a public drop-off area for recyclable materials, and a Permanent Household Hazardous Waste Collec�on Facility (PHHWCF). Once offloaded inside the Facility, waste is loaded into transfer trucks and then transported to a permited landfill.
The Facility is owned and operated by EDCO Transport Services and is located on land privately owned. The total square footage of the overall building footprint is approximately 68838 square feet, with the MRF/Transfer Sta�on (TS) comprised of approximately 56,149 square feet, the two-story office area is 6569 square feet, Buy-back center of approximately 1801 square feet, and the PHHWCF area of approximately 1173 square feet.
The opera�on of this Facility requires a Solid Waste Facility Permit (SWFP) issued from the LEA and concurred with by the State of California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). This current and valid opera�ng permit, 19-AA-1112 (Atachment 2), is regulated by the LEA, which serves as the regional regulatory arm of CalRecycle. The City has designated the County of Los Angeles, Department of Public Health as its LEA.
The LEA is responsible for the review, issuance of permits, and the monthly inspec�on of solid waste facili�es under the SWFP process. In addi�on to the monthly inspec�ons, once the SWFP is issued, the Facility is also subject to a permit review every five (5) years. Any viola�ons of the SWFP, or any of the permit condi�ons would be noted and cita�ons issued. The LEA has the right to require modifica�ons to the Facility opera�on to remedy any iden�fied problems and may revoke the SWFP if just cause is found. The LEA inspects for such condi�ons as noise, odor, dust, traffic, vectors, and hazardous materials.
Among other items and consistent with Ar�cle 3.1, Sec�on 18201 of the CCR, in order to review a modifica�on to an exis�ng SWFP, at a minimum the following must be completed and submited:
• Transfer and Processing Report (TPR)
• Conformance with Land Use and/or CUP
3 B. Site Loca�on (No Change)
The address of the Facility is 2755 California Avenue, Signal Hill, CA 90755. Access to the Facility is from California Avenue and 28th Street.
The Facility’s Assessor’s Parcel Number (APN) is 7207-022-049, County of Los Angeles, California. The Facility is located approximately the following coordinates: 33 degrees, 48’ 22.38 La�tude and 118 degree, 10’50.54 Longitude.
The primary route of delivery to the Facility traveling south on Interstate 405 is exit to Atlan�c Avenue. Proceed south on Atlan�c Avenue and turn east onto Spring Street. Proceed east on Spring Street and turn south onto California Avenue. Then proceed south on California Avenue to 28th Street and turn west to access Facility.
The primary route of delivery to the Facility traveling north on Interstate 405 is exit Cherry or Atlan�c street off ramp, turn west onto East 32 Street and proceed to Orange Street. Turn south on Orange Street, con�nue to Spring Street, turn west and then proceed to California Avenue and turn south. A�er turning onto California Avenue, proceed to 28th Street and turn west to access the site.
C. Site Plan Descrip�on (No Change)
All materials entering the Facility are dumped on the concrete �pping floor located in the enclosed MRF/TS building. The TS �pping floor area is approximately 32572 square feet.
Designated recyclable material is dumped and stored along the west side of the building. • Storage Area – Recyclable material that are floor separated from the TS municipal solid waste piles are transferred to designated containers and bins located in the MRF. Once full, these materials are transported to secondary materials markets.
Storage and transporta�on records are maintained in the main office building for audi�ng purposes.
D. Adjacent Land Use (No Change)
The current General Plan Land Use Element designa�on for the site and immediate area is General Industrial (GI). The surrounding area also is designated GI. The current zoning on the site is Commercial General.
E. On-Site Structures (No Change)
The total floor space for the Facility includes the following:
• Combined Internal Building Area 68838
• Office & Buy Back Building 8370
4 F. Nature and Quan�ty of Materials to be Accepted (No Change)
1. Material Types - General
The Facility will accept the following types of materials:
• Municipal solid waste
Residen�al
Commercial
Industrial
• Organics
Residen�al curbside green waste and food waste
Commercial green waste and food waste
• Recyclables
Source separated, single stream recyclables
Source separated commercial recyclables
Construc�on and industrial recyclables
Construc�on and demoli�on materials
• Self-haul
Residen�al municipal solid waste
Organics
Construc�on and demoli�on materials
• Household Hazardous Waste
• Universal Waste
• Salvageable Items – The MRF accepts recyclable materials from residen�al, curbside and commercial recycling programs, and materials recovered from the TS municipal solid waste. Specifically, the following materials are accepted for separa�on and processing at the MRF:
Newsprint
Corrugated containers
Plas�c containers (CRV and non-CRV)
Mixed plas�cs
5 Aluminum cans (CRV and non-CRV)
High-grade paper
Mixed paper (including junk mail)
Styrofoam
Ferrous and bi-metal containers
Glass containers
Asep�c cartons
The Facility will not accept the following types of materials:
• Non-Salvageable Items – The Facility does not accept for salvage any cosme�cs, beverages, hazardous chemicals, poisons, pes�cides or other materials capable of endangering public health.
High Liquid Content Wastes – The Facility does not accept any publicly owned treatment works sludge or residuals. It also does not accept industrial wastewater treatment sludge, sep�c tank pumping, chemical toilet wastes or liquid wastes. The Facility does accept saturated waste less than 15% liquid content, as long as the liquid is non-hazardous.
Designated Wastes – Designated wastes (profiled hazardous materials) are not accepted at the Facility.
• Hazardous Waste
General – Other than household hazardous waste, no sludge, liquids, infec�ous, medical or hazardous materials are accepted at the Facility. The Hazardous Waste Exclusion and Hazardous Waste Storage Plan describe on-site procedures in the event that hazardous or infec�ous waste is discovered in the �pping area. These plans include procedures to iden�fy the responsible collec�on vehicle and document the materials illegally disposed of at the Facility.
Recovered hazardous or infec�ous materials are placed in a designated hazardous waste storage box (HWSB), located immediately inside the self-haul roll-up door (i.e., south roll-up door).
HWSB is properly placarded and secured to prevent unauthorized access by employees or visitors. Materials stored in the HWSB are properly segregated by hazard classifica�on and removed from the site by a licensed contractor within ninety (90) days, in accordance with federal and state regula�ons. 6 • Household Hazardous Wastes (HHW)
As indicated, the site maintains a PHHWCF sponsored by the City in partnership with the County of Los Angeles Public Works Department, the City of Long Beach and the Los Angeles County Sanita�on District. The PHHWCF is viewed as an added benefit of the site and environmental benefit to the surrounding community.
HHW is brought on-site to the PHHWCF and collected at its designated loca�on by a qualified and trained atendant. This waste is stored in a locked storage area designed and constructed to store hazardous materials.
The waste is disposed of by a licensed hazardous waste hauler to a permited treatment, storage, recycling or disposal facility. All HHW is removed from the site within ninety (90) days of receipt or as required by Federal, State, and local regulatory agencies.
• Other Wastes Requiring Special Handling – The Facility does not accept any CalRecycle designated special wastes.
2. Material Quan��es
As indicated, during the declared State of California State of Emergency associated with COVID-19, the Facility operated at a maximum allowed of 2500 tpd. Absent the State of Emergency, the Facility operates at a maximum allowed of 1500 tpd. MRF/TS is designed to process 6336 tpd per 24-hour shi�.
G. Traffic Analysis
Types and Volume of Vehicles – A variety of different types of vehicles u�lize the Facility, but they are primarily broken into three (3) categories: Collec�on trucks, Transfer tractor/trailers and Self-haul/Employee vehicles. The Facility is permited for a maximum daily capacity of 1500 tpd. Using this baseline number, the following assump�ons are used to generate the type and number of vehicles an�cipated to enter the facility:
• 1500 tpd of municipal solid waste and recyclable materials. • Solid waste collec�on trucks have an average capacity of 7 tons. • Residual waste transfer trucks (including recyclable materials) have an average capacity of 22 tons.
• Self-haul vehicles have an average of 1 ton.
While the Facility is designed for a maximum daily capacity of 6336 tpd over a twenty-four (24) - hour period, the ini�al Environmental Impact Report (EIR) measured a maximum of 1500 tpd (State Clearinghouse SCH # 2008081009). Using this as a baseline number, the es�mated 7 number of commercial trucks accessing the Facility are approximately 239 (171 collec�on vehicles, 68 transfer tractor trailers) and 350 Self Haul/Employee vehicles per day. The number is based on the assump�ons above.
Based upon the above assump�ons, the es�mated type and range of vehicles used at the Facility as Passenger Car Equivalent (PCE) are referenced in the EIR Sec�on 3.3.3.4. The 1500 tpd resulted in a 1656 Average Daily Traffic (ADT) total. With the increase of 1500 to 2500 tpd, we will increase the ADT total by 66.67%.
A summary of the types of vehicles along with their daily count is presented below for both the current opera�on and the proposed modifica�on. For the impact analysis, however, each collec�on truck and transfer truck trip was given more weight by applying the passenger car equivalent (PCE) factor of 2.0 contained in the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). The PCE factor is used because vehicles larger than passenger cars and pickup trucks have a propor�onately greater effect on traffic flow since they occupy more roadway space. Their performance characteris�cs are also inferior to passenger cars, which leads to less efficient use of roadway capacity at intersec�ons. Self-haul vehicles and employee vehicles are not factored by a PCE.
CURRENT
PCE In Out 1500 TONS PER DAY - ADT
VEHICLE TYPES
Collec�on Trucks 2.0 171 171 684
Self-Haul 1.0 300 300 600
Transfer Trucks 2.0 68 68 272
Staff 1.0 50 50 100
Total 589 589 1656
PROPOSED
PCE In Out 2500 TONS PER DAY - ADT
VEHICLE TYPES
Collec�on Trucks 2.0 285 285 1140
Self-Haul 1.0 500 500 1000
Transfer Trucks 2.0 113 113 452
Staff 1.0 100 (50
Per Shi�)
100 200
Total 998 998 2792
8 H. Neighborhood Compa�bility
As can be reviewed in the following Opera�onal Plan sec�on, the Facility con�nues to be a good neighbor to the community. This statement is based on the following:
• All of the collected putrescible waste unloading, and transfer opera�ons occur within an enclosed building. As a result, there are no nega�ve impacts due to dust, noise, or odor. • All of the structures are of steel frame construc�on with proper aesthe�c colored metal fluted siding.
• The Facility is located in the industrial area of the City. In addi�on, the Facility is not located near any residen�al area and is compa�ble with the area. • Appropriate setbacks were considered from adjacent property lines. • Extensive landscaping has been u�lized. This landscaping has been coordinated specifically for the City area, add to the aesthe�cs and also serve to screen off opera�ons from the surrounding roadways.
• EDCO has been a good neighbor at the same site for over ten (10) years. The Facility has been an asset to the community.
The above circula�on patern has been developed not only for efficient facility opera�ons, but also because it provides maximum safety by separa�ng the commercial and public vehicles. It can easily accommodate the modifica�on to 2500 tpd.
II. OPERATIONS PLAN
A. Detailed Site Plan
The detailed site includes the building size along with an overview of the en�re project site.
Specific informa�on regarding individual components of the site plan are as follows:
• Tipping Area - All materials entering the Facility are dumped on the concrete �pping floor located in the enclosed MRF/TS building. The TS �pping floor area is approximately 32572 square feet. Designated recyclable material is dumped and stored along the west side of the building. Recyclable materials that are floor separated from the TS municipal solid waste piles are transferred off-site to secondary materials markets. Storage and transporta�on records are maintained in the main office building for audi�ng purposes.
• Parking Areas – There are three (3) on-site vehicle parking areas that contain a total of forty-three (43) parking stalls. In addi�on, the recycling dock area provides parking for three (3) transfer tractor/trailer units and the residual load out area has parking for up to seven (7) transfer tractor/trailer units in tandem. 9 This allows for op�mal facility parking space u�liza�on when the facility is not ac�vely loading recyclables.
A designated bicycle parking area is located near the main office to further encourage alternate means of transporta�on and reduce parking conges�on.
EDCO’s experience is that on average two (2) employees travel together in one vehicle back and forth to work each day. As energy prices con�nue to escalate, employees will con�nue to increase their carpooling efforts to save money. • Access – Access was previously described in Sec�on IB Site Loca�on of this document.
B. Building Floor Plans
The Facility is located on 3.5 acres of land. The Facility has an external roof height of approximately thirty-five (35) feet. The internal roof height is approximately thirty (30) feet, which provides adequate clearance for equipment. The combined internal building area for all opera�ons is approximately 68838 square feet. The TS is approximately 32572 square feet and the MRF building is approximately 23577 square feet with the remaining area allocated for suppor�ng facili�es. The north wall of the transfer sta�on contains a below-grade load out ramp that can accommodate two (2) tractor trailers at one �me.
C. Traffic Flow Plan
The following vehicles access the facility: collec�on trucks, transfer tractor trailers, public selfhaul and employees. • Collec�on Trucks - All commercial collec�on trucks enter from West 28th Street turning south into the facility via the northwest drive access. They proceed south and then turn east to the scale house for weigh-in.
A�er weigh-in, they con�nue east to the roll-up door openings and enter the Facility where they maneuver inside the building for offloading opera�ons.
Onsite spoters direct transfer trucks, collec�on trucks, and customers to their loading or unloading posi�ons. Spoters are not responsible for assis�ng customers with any unloading ac�vi�es. Onsite signage is also used to assist in onsite traffic control. A�er unloading, the trucks then proceed south to exit the facility and turn west back to the scale house. Trucks are then weighted outbound on a separate scale.
Collec�on trucks that are pre-weighed (registered tare weight) do not require a reweigh and exit the Facility via a dedicated exit gate onto Paterson Street east. 10 Trucks that do require a reweigh proceed directly to the scale house, get weighed and then exit the southwest corner of the Facility onto Paterson Street. Accurate collec�on truck incoming material weight records are maintained at the main office and submited for monthly inspec�on by the LEA and diversion repor�ng for each jurisdic�on.
• Transfer Trucks – Transfer truck trailers enter the facility at the northeast gate from West 28th Street and proceed west down the ramp to the load out ports.
Once underneath the enclosed building, material load out occurs in designated areas using a front-end loader. A�er loading, the transfer trucks move forward for proper tarping of the load. A�er tarping is completed, the transfer trucks proceed south along the outside perimeter of the Facility before exi�ng onto east Paterson Street.
• Public Self-Haul – All public self-haul vehicles enter from West 28th Street and turn south into the Facility via the northwest drive access. They proceed south and then turn east to the scale house for weigh-in. A�er weigh-in, they con�nue east to the roll-up door openings and enter the Facility. Spoters direct them inside the building to off-load their waste materials.
A�er unloading, the self-haulers proceed south to exit the Facility and turn west back to the scale house. They are then re-weighed outbound on a separate scale.
A�er re-weighing, self-haul proceeds to the southwest corner or the facility and exit east onto Paterson Street. Accurate public self-hauling incoming material weight records are maintained at the main office available for monthly inspec�on by the LEA and diversion repor�ng for each jurisdic�on. • Employee Vehicles – Employee vehicles enter the Facility through one of three different access points. First, they can enter West 28th Street via the northeast gate. Second, they can enter from California Avenue at the east gate. Third, they can enter West 28th Street via the northwest gate.
• Bicycle Rack – There are eight (8) spaces to park a bike immediately adjacent to the administra�ve offices in a controlled and secure area. • Recyclables Transport Trucks – The recyclables transport trucks enter the Facility from West 28th Street turning south into the Facility via the northwest drive access. They proceed south and then east to the scale house for weigh-in and proceed into posi�on by execu�ng a Y movement and backing into the dock area.
A�er loading, the recyclables transport trucks are reweighted (only if they do not have a preregistered tare weight) then exit the Facility. 11 D. Surface Drainage and Runoff Control
The Facility drains from west to east via three (3) paved driveways and ul�mately into an on-site drainage basin parallel to Paterson Street. There are two (2) clarifiers located in the loading tunnel on the northeast side, that capture and filter out large debris from entering the storm drains. The clarifiers are regularly serviced to ensure they func�on in an efficient manner.
E. U�li�es Plan
U�li�es (electric, gas, water, sewer) are available and in use at the Facility. Any u�lity upgrades are acquired and permited through the appropriate regulatory agency.
F. Facility Features
• Iden�fica�on Signs – The Facility has iden�fica�on signs conspicuously located at all public entrances indica�ng the name of the operator, the operator’s telephone number, schedule of charges, hours of opera�on and list of materials that are/are not accepted as described in 14 CCR Sec�on 17409.4. • Contact Sign – The Facility contact sign is located approximately fi�y (50) feet from the northwest corner of the Facility and contains the following informa�on:
South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) 909 396-2000 LEA 626 430-5540
Contact person for ques�ons/complaints – Mr. Mark Perumean 714 420-4885 The sign is four (4) feet wide by four (4) feet tall, the leters are four (4) inches tall, the text contrasts with the sign background and the lower edge of the sign is located between six (6) and eight (8) feet above grade. • Sta�on Security – Chain link fences and concrete block walls surround the exis�ng Facility. Sliding gates control access to all driveways. Concrete block barrier walls and chain link fences with slats are constructed along the outside boundaries of the site.
• Roads – The en�re Facility, including new driveways, was constructed upon heavily distressed property iden�fied as brown fields. 28th Street was fully developed as part of the original project scope. On-site roads and driveways are maintained to minimize dust genera�on and soil racking onto adjacent public 12 roads. The en�re opera�ng site is surfaced with either asphalt or concrete.
Designated EDCO employees perform daily liter pick up on-site, along adjacent proper�es/streets and around designated transporta�on corridors. EDCO will reasonably atempt to ensure all stray material is collected and as determined, addi�onal routes may be designated. Transporta�on corridors designated for liter control are Spring Street – from Cherry Avenue to Atlan�c Avenue, California Avenue – Willow Street to Spring Street, and Orange Avenue – Spring Street to 32 Street. Any liter discovered in these designated areas is removed and disposed of in a �mely manner.
• Visual Screening – Fencing is installed around the site boundaries that limit views from adjacent proper�es. All transfer and processing opera�ons are conducted within the enclosed MRF/TS building.
Access doors used for loading and off-loading solid waste and recyclables are on the south side of the MRF/TS building which opens to the central por�on of the Facility. The Facility is not visible to the public and does not have a nega�ve aesthe�c impact to the surrounding industrial area. The en�re Facility is maintained in a neat and clean condi�on.
• Hours of Opera�on
The Facility is permited to operate seven (7) days per week twenty-four (24) hours a day. Hours of opera�on listed in the Table below are based on business demands and are subject to change. In the event these hours change, the Transfer Processing Report will be amended pursuant to LEA approval:
Office –
Actual hours of opera�on 6AM – 6PM Mon – Fri/6AM – 4:30PM Sat Permited hours of opera�on 7 days per week, 24 hours a day MRF/TS and Maintenance
Actual hours of opera�on 4AM – 11PM Mon – Fri/4AM – 4:30PM Sat 4AM – 4:30PM Sun
Permited hours of opera�on 7 days per week, 24 hours a day Public
Actual hours 6AM – 4:30PM Mon – Sat/9AM – 1:30PM
9AM -1:30PM - Sun