The City Attorney's Office has launched a lawsuit against SA Recycling LLC for what they describe as illegal operations within Barrio Logan, a residentially zoned neighborhood. The lawsuit alleges that the company, CEO George Adams, and CFO Mark Sweetman have expanded to include auto wrecking and dismantling activities without the necessary city permits, thus violating the Unfair Competition Law (UCL) and creating a public nuisance. This has been confirmed in a statement obtained by the San Diego Government's official release.
According to Building and Land Use Enforcement inspections, SA Recycling's expansion on a 3.75-acre property involved unpermitted grading, electrical work, and construction. It appears they've seriously skirted around obtaining the required city permits, effectively pushing the boundaries of their business into proscribed territories. Residents of Barrio Logan have made repeated complaints about the noise, air pollution, and various hazardous conditions resulting from the site's operations, which sit uncomfortably close to less than 150 feet from the nearest home, as reported by the City's Complaint.
City Attorney Heather Ferbert clarified that this type of disregard for city laws poses a significant risk to communities, emphasizing that "No one should have to live next to unpermitted heavy industrial operations that pollute the air, damage property, and harm families.” Councilmember Vivian Moreno echoes this sentiment, highlighting the community contributions of small business owners who adhere to city regulations. She said, “When companies ignore those rules, they put the entire neighborhood at risk.”
The filed Complaint also notes that SA Recycling has enjoyed unjust enrichment by operating outside the law, thus gaining an unfair advantage over competitors who comply with regulations. The city is not only seeking civil penalties up to $2,500 per day per violation but also seeking to stop all illegal operations permanently through injunctive relief. Deputy City Attorney David Miller is leading the case, aiming to send a strong message to any business that similarly bypasses the rules.
Addressing these violations has been a concerted effort by the Housing Protection and Civil Code Compliance Unit, which has teamed up with the City's Building and Land Use Enforcement.
