CORRESPONDENCE - #41 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Orozco, Norma From: Greg Camphire <gcamphire@gmail.com> Sent: Tuesday, December 21, 2021 12:19 PM To: eComment Cc: Sarmiento,Vicente; thaivphan@gmail.com; Lopez,Jessie; Mendoza, Nelida; jryanhernadez@santa-ana.org; Penaloza, David; Bacerra, Phil Subject: Santa Ana General Plan Hello City Council members, I'm writing with concerns about Santa Ana's General Plan and whether it seriously meets the requirements to comply with SB 1000, "The Planning for Healthy Communities Act." It doesn't seem like the current version of the General Plan is going far enough to address specific concerns of Santa Ana residents who, like myself, reside in areas with high levels of lead pollution in the soil and toxic particulates in the air. You may have noticed the terrible air quality in Santa Ana over the past few months, with existing industrial pollution exacerbated by excessive fuel from cargo ships backed up in nearby ports, as well as wildfires and other climate change-related disasters. This issue has been covered recently and extensively by the OC Register, Voice of OC, and LA Times; but recent events are just the latest negative development in our region's air quality, which stems from unregulated businesses producing toxic chemicals, especially along the South Main corridor, with no effective buffer zones between schools and residential areas--including where I and many neighbors live. The lead pollution in our soil has also been a longstanding issue that has been covered extensively in local media. Links to cancer, asthma, learning disabilities, and other ailments have been well-established, but merely recognizing this problem is not enough. The city needs to develop a comprehensive testing and remediation plan to maintain the health of residents, especially children and seniors. Finally, our city's lack of open green space borders on criminal neglect. With only a stunningly low 4% of Santa Ana's land considered green space--including a private golf course and cemetery(!)--we are in desperate need of more trees, parks, gardens, and other healthy plant-based environments in a very polluted city. The current General Plan does not address this need, especially when considering that the plan calls for further housing and commercial developments to accommodate significant population increases. This is an emergency! As we continue battling the long-term effects of the unending Covid pandemic, along with the larger climate crisis, it is essential that Santa Ana leads the way in supporting healthy futures for its residents. I am strongly urging you to revisit the General Plan to ensure that it is clearly and effectively meeting our environmental justice needs. Otherwise, we are doomed. Thank you, Greg C. 92701 i