Nanaimo council unanimously passed the first two readings of a rezoning bylaw to allow the operation of a recycling depot at 2375 Hayes Rd.
The application stirred some controversy, as its chosen location is directly beside the non-profit Nanaimo Recycling Exchange.
One contentious issue is the newly located depot holds a bottle return licence, which allows it to provide deposit refunds to customers. The NRE has, in the past, relied on bottle and can drop-offs as a source of income as it cannot provide refunds.
Council passed the first two readings with the requirement that the applicant remove its legal, non-conforming sign by Jan. 1, 2018.
The issue now goes to public hearing June 28 before third reading and adoption.