LA Passes New Law to Protect Neighborhoods from Freeway and Industrial Pollution

LOS ANGELES, CA - In an effort to reduce the effect of environmental pollution on certain, mostly working class neighborhoods, the City Council today approved stricter building rules for industrial sites near residential communities and for housing built near freeways.

A citywide component of the ordinance, approved 12-0 by the City Council, requires that new projects that are within 1,000 feet of a freeway use air filtration systems strong enough to keep out harmful emissions. The rule also applies to existing homes and businesses that are changing out heating and air conditioning systems.

The approval comes five years after environmental justice groups like Communities for a Better Environment pushed for laws to lessen the cumulative effects of pollution in those communities.

The "Clean Up Green Up" program also lays out rules for new projects and expansion of existing industrial sites in the Pacoima and Sun Valley area, Boyle Heights and Wilmington, where neighborhoods of mostly working-class residents live in the shadow of freeways, auto repair shops and oil refineries.

The rules set up a 500-foot buffer between auto shops and homes, and also address landscaping, lighting, building height, the orientation of parking lots, fencing and enclosures for stored materials and pollutants like dust, smoke and fumes.

"Clean Up Green Up is a groundbreaking effort where the city of Los Angeles is saying we want to do more to protect our most vulnerable communities from pollution while offering up green solutions for businesses," Councilman Jose Huizar said.

Councilwoman Nury Martinez, whose district include Pacoima and Sun Valley, said the rules "shift from the discussion being us-versus-them to a conversation about how we can coexist. It's not cleanup by getting rid of industry. It's cleanup by greening up together."

Mayor Eric Garcetti also expressed his support for the ordinance, calling it a "cutting-edge policy that will help protect the public health of the residents of some our most polluted neighborhoods."

"Thanks to this ordinance, residents in Pacoima, Boyle Heights and Wilmington will get the tools to reduce pollution, support economic development and improve public spaces," he said.

An ombudsman office will be set up to help industrial businesses in the three communities apply for incentives and monitor compliance with environmental regulations.

City News Service