Item 21 - Public Hearing - Amendments to the Transit Zoning Code (SD-84) Zoning District and Citywide Zoning Code

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ZOA No. 2024-02 & AA No. 2024-03 (Transit Zoning Code Amendments) May 6, 2025 Page 10 documentation and training. These violations highlight potential risks to public health and the environment. Air emission complaints continue to be reported to SCAQMD. These complaints included one involving black smoke and another regarding unpermitted soil vapor extraction equipment onsite. SCAQMD staff has clarified that for air quality complaints they receive, their inspector is required to be physically present to observe the activity from the facility described in the complaint to determine if the complaint warrants further investigation or enforcement action in accordance with SCAQMD Rules 40 (Visible Emissions), (Public Nuisance), and (Fugitive Dust). Therefore, although community members continue to share concerns with City and SCAQMD staff, the turnaround time for an SCAQMD inspector to be physically present at an SCAQMD-permitted facility to investigate an air quality complaint, especially if a complaint is reported after working hours or on weekends, is ineffective in addressing the immediate needs of the community. The proposed amendments for the TZC aim to strengthen the City's land use regulatory authority, providing a necessary tool to address the deficiencies of outside regulatory agencies and their permitting and oversight, and to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of the community. Public Engagement Following City Council's extension of the TZC moratorium on May 21, 2024, City staff has been developing permanent regulations for the TZC district for the City Council's consideration. Leading up to the special Planning Commission meeting held on March 6, 2025, City staff engaged in a comprehensive outreach effort regarding TZC regulations, holding 20 meetings in various formats with affected stakeholders. This included: • Direct engagement through eight individual and group meetings with business owners and brokers, • Two focus group meetings with TZC business owners, • Community outreach involving two neighborhood/resident group meetings, • Two City -hosted TZC (SD-84) meetings: the October 22, 2024 City Informational Meeting and the March 3, 2025 Community Meeting, • Three site visits at the request of businesses, and • Three Planning Commission meetings (February 10, 2025 Study Session and February 24/March 6 Public Hearings). This extensive engagement aimed to gather diverse input for the development of permanent TZC regulations. To proactively ensure important communications reached all stakeholders, City staff mailed notices to all property owners and occupants, comprising 3,599 addresses, within the Transit Zoning Code area for each of the following meetings: the October 22, 2024 City Informational Meeting, the Planning Commission February 10, 2025 Study Session and February 24, 2025 Public Hearing notice, and the City Council April 1, 2025 Public Hearing Notice.