City decision to reject General Iron permit upheld by appellate court

The city’s decision to deny a Southeast Side metal-shredding business an operating permit because of concerns over air pollution and public health was upheld by a state appellate court Friday.The relocated and rebranded General Iron scrap metal operation was built and ready to open at East 116th Street along the Calumet River when then-Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration rejected the permit, citing the potential public health impact from air pollution.The owner of the business argued that the city didn’t follow its own rules when it made the decision to reject the business permit. The owner, known as General III, was allowed to build its facility because it received a construction permit from the state.General Iron operated in Lincoln Park for decades even as the neighborhood around it gentrified. Developers, city officials and neighbors who viewed the business as a nuisance pushed for the business to move.When it was announced that the business would move to Latino-majority East Sid