By STACEY PETSCHAUER Steel company vendor proposes new location By STACEY PETSCHAUER The Daily News A public hearing for a scrap metal processing/recycling facility proposed for the South Memphis Planning District will be set by the Memphis City Council April 6. The applicant, Remarket Inc., supports Birmingham Steels Memphis operations. The company currently has a facility at 1156 Channel Ave. on Presidents Island but wants to add a location at Bodley Avenue and Prospect Street in South Memphis heavy industrial and flood plain zoning districts. "Its just that we need more room, and the expansion will bring with it more jobs," said Phil Greenberg, president and owner of Remarket Inc. The current heavy industrial zoning permits a scrap metal processing facility but only with a special use permit, said Brian Bacchus, principal planner with the Office of Planning and Development. The OPD rejected Remarkets request for such a permit. "We felt that the intensive nature of this business is not suitable so close to single-family homes," Bacchus said, referring to the Pine Hills subdivision situated near the proposed site. "This use is more intensive than what is there now, and the intensive nature of the use is not compatible in that close a proximity. The noise factor, the character, the trucks, traffic, that sort of thing, we just feel is not conducive to that neighborhood," Bacchus said. The Pine Hills neighborhood is about 200 feet away from the site, he said. In addition, the width of the public roadway that gives access to the industrial site might not be adequate for the traffic a scrap metal recycling facility could generate, Bacchus said. "Thirdly, theres a South Memphis study currently underway that recommends this area to be open space, and we felt with the plan not being completed at this point, it was too premature to recommend approval of something with the area not totally studied," he said. However, Greenberg said he believes the business fits well with the South Memphis character, particularly since the area is zoned for heavy industry. The expansion Remarket is proposing would double the companys job availability. "Its going to bring jobs to the city. Well definitely double, going up to around 15 or 16 people, and theyre well-paying jobs," Greenberg said. He said the company is open to the citys suggestions concerning integration within the area and beautification of the site. The suggested date for public hearing on the issue is April 20.