LOS ANGELES, CA – Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis, First District, released the following statement after the Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to certify and approve the Final Environmental Impact Report and Green Zones Program, which amends Title 22 of the Los Angeles County Code and the Los Angeles County General Plan to improve the public health and quality of life of residents in unincorporated communities that have been disproportionately and historically impacted by environmental effects:
“Since becoming Supervisor for the First District, I have taken very seriously the concerns expressed by residents of unincorporated City Terrace on the grim odors, amongst other environmental concerns, resulting from polluting businesses. Similarly, when I represented unincorporated Walnut Park, my top priority was to safeguard the public health of families from nearby Central Metal – an industrial scrap metal recycling facility that has been a long-time nuisance to the Southeast Los Angeles region. Over the years, the County has investigated multiple complaints of violations against Central Metal including illegal storage of hazardous waste, contaminated soil piles, failure to minimize hazards, and unpermitted expansion of operations. Residents have also reported foul odors, metallic taste in mouth, loud noises, severe vibrations, and increased truck traffic caused by this facility. To that end, I was proud to author the motion back in 2015 to initiate the Green Zones Program so that residents in City Terrace, Walnut Park, and across the County receive the environmental justice they deserve. The certification and approval of the Final Environmental Impact Report and Green Zones Program is a result of six years of hard work by our Department of Regional Planning to reduce hazardous environmental impacts to communities of color and improve health outcomes through targeted land use strategies.”
Today’s action changes the zoning of industrial parcels within various unincorporated communities and amends the maps for various Zoned Districts to establish 11 Green Zone Districts rezoning for 27 parcels, and land use designation changes for 14 parcels. In addition, it creates Countywide definitions for sensitive, recycling, and waste management uses, establishes additional permitting requirements and develops standards for existing and new industrial and vehicle-related uses, as well as creates additional development standards for new sensitive uses located adjacent to industrial uses, and new Countywide recycling and solid waste permitting requirements and development standards in line with State laws and goals for waste diversion and emissions reduction.
To view the full board letter, click here.
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