A victory for communities that have been treated as afterthoughts in the face of unchecked pollution

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“For too long, our communities have been treated as afterthoughts in the face of unchecked pollution and hazardous development,” Hernandez said.

Officials announced Tuesday that a proposed trucking depot in Lincoln Heights that has raised the ire of residents concerned about potential pollution in their neighborhood will be required to meet new regulations before it can move forward.

During a morning news conference at City Hall, Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the First District encompassing Lincoln Heights, announced that the applicant’s deadline passed on Monday.

Hernandez was joined by a coalition of community members and environmental justice advocates, including Dr. Rocio Rivas, STAND-LA, Vista Hermosa Community Group, Esperanza Community Housing, and the Lincoln Heights Coalition, to announce that a proposed trucking depot development in Lincoln Heights would be subject to updated zoning regulations that aim to protect communities from harmful and environmentally hazardous developments.

To reapply or request an extension, the applicant will now be subject to rules under the recently approved Interim Control Ordinance, which mandates stricter regulations before a permit can be issued for warehousing, distribution and storage developments larger than 15,000 square feet in the Cornfield Arroyo Seco Specific Plan.

“For too long, our communities have been treated as afterthoughts in the face of unchecked pollution and hazardous development,” Hernandez said.

Xebec, a privately held real estate investment company, sought to develop a 56,700-square-foot distribution center on an empty lot at 3505 Pasadena Ave. Representatives for the company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Last week, Hernandez joined local parents, students and other residents at a protest outside Hillside Elementary School, across from the proposed distribution center. THE. County Supervisor Hilda Solis and LAUSD Board Member RocÃo Rivas, who represented the areas, also opposed the project.

Opponents expressed concerns that developing the land could release toxic chemicals into the air and harm residents in the surrounding neighborhoods of Cypress Park, Montecito Heights and Mount Washington.

Councilmember Hernandez followed the announcement by introducing a package of legislation to close policy gaps and address longstanding environmental harms, including the proliferation of orphan oil wells and unregulated development on brownfield sites.

“They don’t know where the pollution left by Exide ends; it’s a genocidal culture.” – mark! Lopez