VAN NUYS : L.A. Shuts Down Recycling Center

An illegally operated recycling center that drew unwanted vagrants to a Van Nuys neighborhood was shut down Tuesday by city officials.

The center in a parking lot behind a tire store at 6961 Van Nuys Blvd. had been operating without proper building and safety permits since at least August, creating problems with trespassing, littering and noise for nearby residents.

But the Los Angeles Building and Safety Commission reversed last month’s decision to grant a November extension to allow the recycling center to obtain the proper permits. Tuesday’s action by the commission rescinded the November extension, effectively shutting down the operation, city officials said.

“We are very happy for the community because the recycling center was causing all kinds of problems,” said Judith Hirshberg, field deputy for Councilman Marvin Braude.

More than 200 residents had signed a petition against the center, with complaints mostly aimed at those who came to recycle their plastic, glass and other products.

“Vagrants were crawling into residents’ garages to get recyclables,” Hirshberg said. “The center was not picking up the oil cans, broken bottles and litter left on the parking lot. They were doing everything against the law. It was not zoned for recycling.”

Don Schultz, president of the Van Nuys Homeowners Assn., said he was encouraged by the commission’s action and called the recycling center owner, Herman Mendoza, “someone who has just been abusing the system.”

Mendoza, 45, had been operating the center without a permit since March. He disagreed with residents that the recycling center was responsible for all the trash in the parking lot.

Despite the setback, Mendoza said he plans to move his recycling center elsewhere.