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