Item 28 - Extension of Moratorium on the Approv., Commenc., Establish., Reloc., or Expans. of Indus. Uses

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Extension of Moratorium on the Approval, Commencement, Establishment, Relocation, or Expansion of Industrial Uses in Specific Development No. 84 May 21, 2024 Page 6 4 2 7 9 Review of Records and Activities of External Agencies To broaden the analysis beyond the City's local land use impacts, City staff have initiated public records requests from outside regulatory agencies, such as the South Coast Air Quality Monitoring District, Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board, the Department of Toxic Substances Control, and others responsible for issuing supportive permits for industrial uses in the TZC. Such agencies are responsible for permit issuance, compliance activities, and/or monitoring hazardous clean-up sites, or other industrial facility-related activities and received current data requests for sites located within SD No. 84 that were initiated by City staff on April 25, 2024. Data from outside regulatory agencies will assist City staff in further understanding activities between external regulatory agencies and industrial businesses that may place additional impacts on public health, safety, and welfare in affected neighborhoods adjacent to industrial businesses in the TZC. This information would enable City staff to understand the correlation and environmental burdens that may be attributed to permitted activities for industrial businesses in historically environmentally disadvantaged communities, specifically the Logan and Lacy neighborhoods. In response to the City’s request, SCAQMD clarified the need to process the records request by larger geographic areas, such as zip code area as an example, not specifically matching the boundaries of the TZC. The City has not received responses to its Public Records Act requests and once it does, additional time will be needed for City staff to carefully review and analyze the data in order to understand all activities (internal and external) and affected industrial businesses. Comprehensive Zoning Code Update and Neighborhood Engagement City staff continue to work with Project Consultant MIG to ensure the City’s Zoning Code and General Plan are consistent. In order to maintain compliance with state law, comprehensive amendments to the Zoning Code will likely be required. MIG and City staff have already conducted extensive community outreach, stakeholder interviews, and reviews of existing zoning-related codes and policies in Santa Ana. These early efforts continue to indicate that there are irreconcilable land use conflicts and land use inconsistencies in the TZC area which are among the most pressing topics to be addressed as part of the comprehensive Zoning Code Update process in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the most vulnerable communities that face the impacts of the land use conflicts within the TZC area. The Neighborhood Initiatives and Environmental Services (NIES) section of the Planning Division continue to coordinate with City departments, outside regulatory agencies, and staff from other federal and state agencies to identify additional resources available to enhance deeper awareness of pollution exposure in disadvantaged communities, long-term health effects, and options for immediate