Politics & Government

City Suit Accuses Construction Firm of Illegal Operations, Discharges

A concrete mixing plant operated by a longtime local business is violating city codes, according to a lawsuit filed in November by the city of Lake Forest.

The city is suing a small construction business on Olive Avenue for allegedly operating a concrete mixing plant 10 times larger than allowed on the property, which abuts residential neighborhoods.

The suit also alleges other code violations.

Farino Construction Services has been operating at 23282 Olive Ave. since 1986. Plans to expand the business prompted a 2009 city inspection of the operation, which Farino Construction planned to expand onto two adjacent parcels.

Find out what's happening in Lake Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to the suit, the city's review of the property turned up a concrete mixing plant with a capacity of at least 10 cubic yards, in an area where the maximum limit is one cubic yard.

In January 2010, the city amended its policy regarding concrete mixing plants in that area, requiring a permit for operation. However, the one cubic yard limit remained.

Find out what's happening in Lake Forestwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

This June, the city notified Farino Construction that it had 90 days to remove the plant from its property, according to the lawsuit.

The suit alleges the plant was still operating when the deadline arrived in late September, and continued to do so as of the date of the Nov. 9 lawsuit.

The city of Lake Forest is asking the court to declare the operation a public nuisance and stop further use of the property until it's brought into compliance with city law. Until that time, it wants Farino to pay up to $250 each day it remains out of compliance, as well as cover the costs of the lawsuit.

In addition to allegedly operating an illegal mixing plant, the city also says that Farino Construction is violating city law by operating the plant without a permit; storing building, industrial or construction materials without a permit; repairing industrial vehicles on the property without a permit; and causing, allowing or facilitating a prohibited discharge on the property.

Court records show that no response to the suit has been filed yet by Farino Construction.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here