Conditional Use Permit Strike Team
Conditional Use Permits – the CUP Strike Team
Code’s CUP Team Safeguards City Resources
A number of fires have occurred at various recycling and /or solid waste facilities within the City limits in the last few years. Some occurred at facilities operating in violation of their Conditional Use Permits (C.U.P.). Facilities operating without proper safeguards can have a far-reaching detrimental effect on the health of the community. Cleaning up violations can require the services of Federal, State, and Local agencies – and at a financial burden that can be a drain on City resources.
In Response to These Events….
the Mayor and the Southwest Fire Improvement Task Force recommended the adoption of a new City Ordinance to specifically address solid waste and recycling business operators within the City with the goal of improving public health and safety. To further that goal, a proactive C.U.P. Strike Team was established to implement and enforce the new ordinance with a mandate to identify and immediately address any and all violations of Conditional Use Permits, as well as environmental crimes which pose a threat to citizens. The CUP Strike Team works closely with numerous agencies, including Federal and State Environmental Protection Agencies, the Department of Toxic Substance Control, the local Certified Unified Program Authority and the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
To Enforce the Solid Waste and Recycling Ordinance….
the CUP Team conducts annual (and random) inspections of all such facilities to determine whether they are operating within the constraints of their permits. The CUP Team has a number of powerful enforcement tools, granted through the Ordinance, with which to achieve their mandated goal, ranging from administrative civil penalties of up to $2,500 a day to the various enforcement and abatement options available under the Public Nuisance Abatement Ordinance. Other remedies may include civil lawsuits and criminal citations.