A businessman who wants to store scrap metal and other recyclables in the Falk Steel Road area is appealing a zoning board decision denying the expansion.

Robert Keyes, owner and operator of Keyes Recycling on U.S. 61 North, will receive a hearing on the issue on Oct. 6, the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen decided.

Keyes approached the zoning board Sept. 2 to ask for a special exemption to store recyclables on 45 acres of property at 330 Falk Steel Road. Keyes said the scrap would be mostly metal, but could also include other recyclables such as plastics and cardboard. He maintained there would be no crushing of recyclables on the premises or any other mechanical operations.  

However, the board rejected his request after about a dozen members of two area churches voiced opposition to the storage location.

Ben Luckett, who represented members of Northside Baptist Church, said the scrap would pose an eyesore and a potential safety hazard as large trucks used to transport the recyclables would have to traverse the narrow road. Byron Maxwell, pastor of Cool Spring M.B. Church, also spoke against Keyes’ request for a special exemption, saying he feared the operation could grow into a full recycling center with heavy machinery in operation.  

Keyes told the zoning board he only intends to store recyclables at the site, which he said has had some scrap metal on the property since the 1950s. Several buildings and containers are also currently located on the property.

“It’s real simple. I’m just asking to store scrap metal there,” Keyes told the zoning board. “It doesn’t make any noise. The business is not open to the public. I’ve been managing the property since 1989 or 1990 and no one has ever complained about the scrap on the property.”

On the agendaMeeting Wednesday, Vicksburg officials:Approved board minutes from June 10, 16, 25 and July 3 and 7. Acknowledged Shirley Doyle as the Vicksburg Senior of the Month.Heard about upcoming events at the Southern Cultural Heritage Foundation from Director Annette Kirklin.Tabled a request from King Solomon Baptist Church to use the Jackson Street Community Center on Oct. 31 for its annual fall harvest festival.Approved a request from The Optimist Club of Vicksburg to use a public lot on Pemberton Square Boulevard to sell Christmas trees. Tabled a letter requesting permission from PyroFire Displays of Hernando for a fireworks display on Sept. 17 at 8:30 p.m. in conjunction with a convention. Rescinded action taken Aug. 27 to allocate $4,000 to the community chamber fund for the Riverfront Mural Committee under matching funds for the arts. Approved salaries and matching benefits for the 911 Dispatch Center dispatchers. Awarded surplus real property and authorized the mayor to execute quitclaim deeds on the following properties: PPIN 18373, owned by Isaiah Jones and Mary Luckett, and PPIN 19791, owned by William Nelson. OK’d a grant application to the Mississippi Department of Public Safety under the fiscal year 2008 Homeland Security Grant Program. Discussed five dilapidated buildings and overgrown lots, and authorized Building and Inspections Director Victor Gray-Lewis to cut, clean and demolish four properties and grant an extension for one property. Approved sewer department employee Ernest Palmer to be added to the employee driving list. Approved Vicksburg Emergency Management Director Anna Booth to take home an emergency management city vehicle for on-call purposes. Approved a purchase order in the amount of $3,690 to Waring Oil Company for the purchase of 1,000 gallons of off-road diesel fuel. Authorized the city clerk to advertise sealed bids for an enclosed trailer for the police department and a standby generator system. Approved the claims docket.In executive session, the board: Approved hiring one employee for the gas department and one employee for court services.Discussed one personnel matter in the police department. Accepted resignations from employees in the following departments: one from sewer, two from police, one from gas and one from fire. Discussed a litigation matter.In a public comment hearing, the board: Heard from Wilsey Kelly about police protection.Heard from Mark Werner about the convention center, police department, budget finance, zoning and parks.