Debate Over Proposed Truck Livery at Former Lorain Factory Site Residents and local officials clash over plans to convert a former factory into a truck livery, raising concerns about noise, security, and neighborhood suitability. The future of a former factory property in Lorain has sparked significant debate among local residents. The current owner, Jose Laboy, plans to transform the former American Crucible site into a truck livery for vehicle storage and parking. However, neighbors like Catherine Potter, who has lived in the Central Lorain neighborhood for fifty years, express concerns about potential health and security risks. Potter recalls the factory as once neat and clean but now fears the proposed truck livery will degrade the area further. I’d rather see the building burned down and weeds growing back here, instead of seeing these semi trucks and what he wants to do with this property right now, she said.The property, which suffered a large fire in March 2022, has since been sold and partially cleaned up by Laboy and his business partner. Despite their efforts, neighbors worry about noise, exhaust, and the possibility of the site becoming a target for crime. Ward 2 Lorain City Council member Victoria Kempton has also received complaints from residents, who fear the truck livery could become an unregulated overnight parking spot for drivers.The owner, however, argues that the project is an improvement over the property’s previous state, which was filled with debris and hazards. Laboy insists he is committed to cleaning up the site and has already installed security measures, including lighting, surveillance cameras, and guard dogs. He acknowledges the temporary need for a variance to park trucks within 200 feet of homes but assures the community that this is only until the cleanup is complete.While some neighbors acknowledge the need for industry, they believe the current proposal is not suitable for the residential area. We don’t want to stop him from having a business, but this is just not the right business, Potter said. The zoning application for the 5-acre industrial site remains a contentious issue, with both sides presenting valid concerns and hopes for the future of the neighborhood