The Rochelle Planning and Zoning Commision heard a presentation last night from Behr Iron and Steel dealing with their new facility that is scheduled to open in the Hub City in the near future. The indoor recycling facility and auto recycling operation will be located at 111 5th Avenue.
There will be 2 access points to the facility for local residents using the recycling operation. There will be no stored metal or tires outside. The crushed vehicles will be taken to facilities in Peoria or South Beloit. The tires will be recycled at their Rockford plant.
Behr Iron and Steel currently has 14 facilities which includes Freeport, Woodstock, and Monroe, Wisconsin. Their headquarters are located in Rockford.
They plan to have 7 to 12 workers at the facility in Rochelle. They are asking the city for a special use permit since they made a change is the use of the buildings for the project. The Planning and Zoning Commision could not make a recommendation to the council last night because they lacked a quorum. The 4 members present approved the project for Rochelle.
Community Development Director Chris Limas said that a building permit has been taken out for the 3 retail businesses that will be near the Caron Ridge Shopping Center, next to the new Swedish American Medical Center being built.
Pizza Hut has already announced that they plan to move to this new location early next year. They are currently located along Illinois 251 North.
