Orange to Draw Up Law on Hazardous Waste

In response to citizens’ concerns about companies that handle hazardous waste, the City Council has voted unanimously to initiate an “urgency ordinance” that would require new treatment or storage facilities to obtain conditional-use permits.

The ordinance would be a temporary measure to regulate businesses until a permanent ordinance is developed to incorporate the county’s hazardous waste management plan, a program that is expected to be approved by the state Department of Health Services this summer.

The council’s action Tuesday follows revelations last month that LeaRonal Inc., a major chemical manufacturer that has operated in the city since 1983, was seeking state permits that would allow it to use a cyanide solution in one of its manufacturing processes.

LeaRonal Inc., a New York-based firm that operates a plant at 642 W. Nicholas Ave., recently paid a $407,302 fine to settle charges that it had illegally accepted, stored and treated cyanide and other hazardous wastes for six years.

Residents complained that the company still poses a hazard and asked the city for tougher controls to restrict businesses that handle dangerous chemicals.

Stephen Drilling, owner of ACS Hydraulics Inc., a business located next to LeaRonal, told the council he was worried about fumes coming from the LeaRonal plant.

“I’m concerned about many other people that are in this area that are subjected to these fumes,” Drilling said “I’m concerned about property values, I’m concerned about my employees’ health and those of the surrounding businesses.”

Fire Marshal Bob Clevenger said LeaRonal has met all Fire Department requirements.

Jere Murphy, the city’s advance planner, said that since LeaRonal has been allowed to operate for eight years without a permit, the city does not have the right to require a permit for its current business.

But “a new use, or a use at a new facility” or location can require a conditional use permit, Murphy said.

About 500 businesses in Orange and 6,000 others in the county handle hazardous materials in large enough quantities to require filing reports with the Fire Department, Clevenger reported in a memorandum to the council. Gas stations, paint stores and other retail operations often fall under this category. But in Orange, less than 1% of these businesses handle extremely hazardous materials, the memo said.

The council is expected to vote on the urgency ordinance at its 3 p.m. session on April 23.