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uses." Santa Ana is taking a "draconian position" that extinguishes the company's vested rights — in violation <br />of constitutional prohibitions on "'taking' or `damaging' of private property without payment of just <br />compensation." <br />Owner Bob Adams, who I featured in a photograph accompanying that old column, told me the previous <br />overlay zone was "a promise by the city (to allow) all industrial businesses to remain and operate in <br />perpetuity. Now after 48 years of investing, creating jobs and building a future for myself, my family and our <br />employees, we are threatened to be eliminated by the city's actions." I certainly understand why he is "mad as <br />hell." Nearby residents have complained about noise and nuisance issues, but those concerns can be mitigated <br />without shuttering businesses. Most properties are tidy commercial structures, many with attractive newer <br />buildings. This isn't the Rust Belt. These businesses provide hundreds of jobs and bolster the tax base. <br />In its "historic" moratorium, the city references SB 1000. The environmental justice concept is bizarre in this <br />instance. Generally that term refers to — and often legitimately — harm imposed on poorer neighborhoods as <br />polluting industries encroach. But these businesses have been here for decades. The city is encroaching on <br />them by encouraging new housing. It reminds me of when residents complain about cows and tractors after <br />they move into a new subdivision built on a farm field. The city is finally meeting with the owners, but it <br />needs to come up with a plan that respects these businesses' property rights. In the urbanist world that city <br />planners envision, there's no reason residents and businesses can't coexist. This is also a reminder that nice - <br />sounding and well-intentioned "justice" legislation can lead to far-reaching injustices once local officials gain <br />new powers. <br />Steven Greenhut is Western region director for the R Street Institute and a member of the Southern California <br />News Group editorial board. Write to him at sgreenhutkrstreet.org <br />