Azusa : Quarry Decision Postponed

The City Council, which was considering an appeal Monday from an Azusa businessman to open a rock quarry in Fish Canyon above the city, put off a decision until May 16.

The Planning Commission, which in April began hearings on revoking the 28-year-old permit that allows the Azusa Rock Co. to quarry in the canyon, had previously denied Robert G. Restivo’s request to open a smaller quarry.

Faced with objections from Restivo and quarry opponents about the adequacy of an environmental impact report by city staff, Councilwoman Jennie Avila said she wanted more information about the effects a new quarry would have on wildlife and plants in the area.

Marlene Fox, who is representing the city of Duarte in its efforts to end quarrying in Fish Canyon, said the report is “fatally flawed.” Gary Werner, who represented Restivo, agreed that the report is inadequate and argued that a better study would favor Restivo’s request.

Restivo paid $20,000 for the report and has not received an adequate document, Werner said. He also argued that a decision on Restivo’s request should be put off until the city decides the fate of Azusa Rock.