SOUTH BUFFALO, NY — Residents are hoping the Buffalo Zoning Board of Appeals will stop a recycling company from creating a junkyard in their neighborhood.
There was a scrapyard at 267 Marilla until 2019 when Niagara Metals stopped operations because it was "unsafe" for the neighborhood, Rob Piscatelli, VP of Niagara Metals, told 7 News reporter Jaurdyn Johnson.
But now, American Iron and Metal Recycling—a company in Canada—want to reopen the junkyard.
More than 120 residents have now signed a petition to stop construction.
The zoning board will read the petition during their meeting on Wednesday.
The residents' lawyer, Justin Andreozzi, told 7 News they feared board members would not hear them.
"They are doing what they can to stop this, but they feel like they are not being heard," said Andreozzi.
Andreozzi tells 7 News that this former junkyard was a part of longstanding industrial construction that has caused issues for present homeowners across Buffalo.
"Officials had made decisions to allow for industrial use near our parks our homes our waterfront property and our schools but today is not that day."
The ZBA meeting is on Wednesday at 2 pm.
