The order calls for a report investigating the Lineage site, and an ordinance to place a moratorium on large cold storage facilities in residential areas
Mayor Karen Bass issued an emergency executive order on Friday declaring that plans to rebuild the Lineage Warehouse in Boyle Heights will not be processed before the City completes an investigation of the site, following a week-long fire in June that has had lasting health, safety and environmental consequences for the surrounding community.
Rebuilding plans will not be reviewed until a report led by the Departments of City Planning and Building and Safety is created, investigating the Lineage site and making recommendations for a review process for future Lineage facilities, including an environmental review.
The executive order also requested the City Council adopt an ordinance to temporarily place a moratorium on large cold storage facilities within close proximity to residential areas, which Councilmember Ysabel Jurado said in a statement she plans to introduce next week. The City will take the time to enact new legislation governing where such facilities can be built.
“Lineage’s priority must be finishing this cleanup. I can’t believe they would even think about starting the rebuilding process while they haven’t cleaned up the mess,” said Mayor Bass in a statement. “It’s a slap in the face to the families who are living every day with the horrific smells, the growing fly infestation, and the constant uncertainty about when this hell will end. I will continue to use the full force of my Mayoral authority to protect Boyle Heights and fight for the accountability this community deserves.”
Bass has issued three emergency executive orders to facilitate cleanup, fight for accountability from Lineage, and to mobilize resources for the impacted community, which Bass’ office said will continue to be provided for as long as needed. She also issued a declaration of local emergency, which was followed by an emergency declaration from Governor Gavin Newsom.
The fire that broke out on June 17 at the Lineage warehouse in Boyle Heights was the second fire at the facility within the past two years, according to the mayor’s office. The facility stored about 85 million pounds of frozen food, including meat, within close proximity to homes and schools. According to a press release from the mayor’s office, the size of the facility and its proximity to these sensitive sites are unusual.
The surrounding community continues to suffer from the effects of the rotting food waste, including an intense odor and an infestation of rats and flies that is exacerbated by the high heat and humidity. The smoke and an ammonia leak prompted an air quality advisory and evacuations in the days following the fires.
Scroll to continue reading
Bass’s second emergency executive order, issued on Wednesday, ordered all food waste be removed from the site within 45 days. According to the executive order, there has been an “unacceptable” lack of transparency from Lineage about its progress, and the company has not provided consistent information about efforts to mitigate the odor or rat and fly infestation.
“Today’s executive order makes clear that Lineage should not be allowed to move forward with rebuilding while Boyle Heights is still living through the consequences of this disaster,” said Councilmember Ysabel Jurado in a statement. “Accountability must come before reconstruction, and we cannot go back to business as usual.”
Nina Kremer
Source link