After community objections to a bottle redemption center on N. Lombard St. near the St. Johns’ town center, the city Bureau of Permitting & Development and Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative (OBRC) have been in ongoing discussions about relocating the BottleDrop on industrially zoned property.
The same bureau canceled the Land Use Approval for the former Dollar Tree site on N. Lombard St. in August 2024, effectively halting OBRC’s development plans. The cancellation is still in effect.
Many residents object to the N. Lombard St. location due to what they see as incompatible OBRC activities such as the use of heavy equipment to move large quantities of empties inside and outside the building, and large semi-trucks entering and exiting the property. Residents, including business owners, see the activities as inappropriate near the St. Johns town center, largely made up of storefronts and pedestrian-friendly amenities.
According to St. Johns Neighborhood Association (SJNA) sources, OBRC said it sought an altnernative site with industrial zoning outside North Portland. But during their discussions with the city about the appropriateness of industrial zoning, the site was leased to another entity.
OBRC’s lease of the BottleDrop redemption center at the Delta Park Shopping Center will soon end due to complaints by other tenants that it was attracting loitering and negative activities. Additionally, the shopping center landlord and OBRC disagreed on security needs.
According to the Portland planning code the industry-zone designation is intended for manufacturing and distribution operations that encourage the growth of industrial activities.
BottleDrop bill HB 2921
Rep. Travis Nelson, who represents North and NE Portland in the state legislature, has been an advocate for residents in the impasse with OBRC. His chief of staff, AmyBeth Altenhofen, attended the SJNA meeting and acknowledged that it’s harder to get approval for a redemption site in an industrial zone. “The city and OBRC are still in discussion about the parameters of locating in industrial and commercial zones,” she said.
Altenhofen also shared information about House Bill 2921, brought forward by Nelson, that would require OBRC to communicate a public outreach plan to congressional leaders prior to locating a redemption center. It also creates an opportunity for public feedback, and allows BottleDrop siting in industrial-zoned areas.
SJNA members unanimously approved a letter of support for the bill. Altenhofen said the critical next step is for the bill to get a hearing. She added Residents are encouraged to email Rep.JohnLively@oregonlegislature.gov asking for the bill to receive a hearing.