CH-29 Correspondence – Victor Contreras
From: Victor Contreras [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2023 11:35 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Subject: March 21st City Council agenda item # 29
-EXTERNAL-
I Victor Contreras,
Long Beach resident who lives just 1,584 feet from 5910 Cherry Ave is writing today to express my concerns with this project which was not fully transparent with the public
I oppose the warehouse development at 5910 Cherry Ave and request a full EIR for this project.
I’m concerned about my family and children’s health. My father who was recently ill by COVID-19 pandemic and intubated for 2 months lives with me. His lungs are no longer at full capacity and adding more traffic/ trucks to contaminate our streets will affect his health even further. The streets are already in bad physical condition and adding more trucks would further deteriorate our infrastructure, not to say would increase the traffic, noise and stress to our community members who frequently travel these streets. There is already limited parking in our streets due to trucks being parked, we do not need more trucks operating 24/7.
According to CalEnviroScreen, North Long Beach has high levels of air pollution that endanger human health by causing respiratory conditions such as asthma, wheezing, decreased lung function, increased likelihood of hospital visits, heart disease, and even early death.
Research shows these kinds of projects bring traffic, noise, and pollution to nearby neighborhoods, putting the health of the community in danger and diminishing the quality-of-life.
The city should ask for a plan EIR of the area and adopt a set of regulations to reduce/control pollution before approving these kinds of developments. Having a plan EIR in place before the approval of new developments will identify the proper mitigation and conditions to protect the health of the community and facilitate the project’s approval while encouraging responsible developments.
Adopting policies to guide warehouse development in the city’s general plan will also help jurisdictions comply with their obligations under SB 1000. This requires local government general plans to identify objectives and policies to reduce health risks in disadvantaged communities, promote civil engagement in the public decision-making process, and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.
This is not about just limiting the harmful PM emissions from trucks, but about mitigating long standing pollution in the air, land, and water, and improving the quality of life, as promised, in the communities most burdened by overall pollution.
I urge the city council to protect our health by approving the appeal and requesting a full EIR.
Implement other projects which will benefit our community, not harm.
Sincerely,
--
Victor Contreras
CH-29 Correspondence – Ladan Mohamed
-----Original Message-----
From: Ladan Mohamed [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 7:57 AM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Cc: Council District 9 <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Kevin Lee <[email protected]>; [email protected]; Mayor <[email protected]>; LBDS <[email protected]>
Subject: For the kids of 90805, I request a full environmental impact review
-EXTERNAL-
Dear Mayor and City Council member,
My name is Ladan Mohamed. I am in favor of the appeal, and I request a full Environmental Impact Review for the warehouse development project at 5910 Cherry Ave. 90805.
I am 24 years old, I was born and raised here in Long Beach, Ca. I moved to North Long Beach when I was 9 yo, so for most of my life, I have lived here off of Cherry and Harding. I went to Longfellow Elementary, Hughes Middle School, and graduated from Lakewood high school. I then went to LBCC for 3 years where I got an A.S degree in Public Health Science and then transferred to Cal State Long Beach where I graduated in 2021 with a Bachelors in Health Science with an option in Community Health Education.
I now work for a non profit organization called For The Child here in Long Beach, in the Bixby Knolls area.
For The Child is a mental health agency that is contracted with the Department of Mental Health, we provide therapy/counseling services to children and also provide support to families by connecting them to resources in the community depending on their needs (ex: food banks, clothing vouchers, housing referrals, etc.).
I am one of the Intake Coordinators at the agency, so when parents call in looking for services for their children, I am the first one they speak to. The majority of the calls we get are for kids dealing with anxiety, behavioral issues, or trauma such as a death in the family, sexual abuse, community violence (ex: witnessing shootings), or DCFS involvement. One thing that I can tell you with certainty is that the majority of calls that we get are from families living in the 90805 area ( I acknowledge that most of our calls come from north LB given that bixby knolls is right next door). Everyday, I listen to the troubles these families are going through and the reason for why they are requesting therapy for their children.
They already have so much on their plate, so I am sure that a new big building being built down the road from them is the last concern on their mind. They can care less right now because they have their current troubles that they are worried about. Even though it may not affect them now, it will affect them in a few years, but by then it will already be too late.
On behalf of the 90805 families that I speak to on the phone everyday, whose kids walk through our doors every day, I ask for a full Environmental Impact review to protect their health.
Sincerely,
Ladan Mohamed
CH-29 Correspondence – Zaret Proa
From: Zaret Proa [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 9:07 AM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Subject: I oppose the warehouse development at 5910 Cherry Ave
-EXTERNAL-
Dear Mayor and City Council Members,
My name is Zaret Guadalupe Proa. I received a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine/Studio Art from the University of California, Santa Cruz. I am part of Puente Latino Association, am a Nehyam Neighborhood Association board member, a registered artist in the Arts Council Long Beach, and a member of Long Beach Heritage. I am a Chicana textile designer and homeowner in North Long Beach and I work in Torrance.
I oppose the warehouse development at 5910 Cherry Ave and request a full EIR for this project
I have worked in many industrial areas in my 13 years of experience as a textile designer. In that time I have noticed that industrial areas/warehouses that are built near residential zones affect the surrounding neighborhoods negatively; from toxic contamination to fires and explosions.
Here are a few examples:
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-02-10/exide-lead-cleanup-leaves-fear-and-frustration-in-its- wake
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5783279/
https://grist.org/equity/carson-california-industrial-warehouse-fire-refinery-pollution-displacement/
https://calmatters.org/environment/2022/02/environmental-justice-photo-essay-la-county-port- communities/
https://www.csb.gov/exxonmobil-torrance-refinery-explosion-/
https://www.thedowneypatriot.com/articles/industrial-sites-in-south-gate-may-be-added-to-most-toxic-list
https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/treated-sacrifices-families-breathe-toxic-fumes-california-s- warehouse-hub-n1265420
https://la.curbed.com/2017/5/19/15651412/vernon-ca-vinci-history-leonis
In addition, I’ve also noticed several issues during my commute. In Torrance I often see unhoused encampments within the industrial zones; specifically around Western and Del Amo Blvd. I also see it on Cherry Ave in NLB. These pose community health hazards/biohazards. It creates a negative chain reaction in the community. Residents will stop walking around in the neighborhood which can cause an increase in crime and vice versa. (https://transweb.sjsu.edu/sites/default/files/2802-Neighborhood-Crime- Travel-Mode-Behavior-bf.pdf)
If North Long Beach has a high crime rate, then it would be logical to create more public green spaces and create “walkable” neighborhoods. Creation of warehouses isolates communities .
Please also bring these points into consideration from the article below:
https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/environment/warehouse-best-practices.pdf • The Western Riverside Council of Governments policy sets a minimum buffer zone of 300 meters between warehouses and sensitive receptors, and it requires a number of design features to reduce truck impacts on nearby sensitive receptors. • Creating physical, structural, and/or vegetative buffers that adequately prevent or substantially reduce pollutant dispersal between warehouses and any areas where sensitive receptors are likely to be present, such as homes, schools, daycare centers, hospitals, community centers, and parks.
The city should ask for a plan EIR of the area and adopt a set of regulations to reduce/control pollution before approving these kinds of developments.
Having a plan EIR in place before the approval of new developments will identify the proper mitigation and conditions to protect the health of the community and facilitate the project’s approval while encouraging responsible developments.
Adopting policies to guide warehouse development in the city’s general plan will also help jurisdictions comply with their obligations under SB 1000. This requires local government general plans to identify objectives and policies to reduce health risks in disadvantaged communities, promote civil engagement in the public decision-making process, and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.This is not about just limiting the harmful PM emissions from trucks, but about mitigating long standing pollution in the air, land, and water, and improving the quality of life, as promised, in the communities most burdened by overall pollution.
I urge the city council to protect our health by approving the appeal and requesting a full EIR.
Sincerely,
--
Zaret Proa
CH-29 Correspondence – Franklin Ruiz
From: Franklin Ruiz [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 9:03 AM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Subject: 5910 Cherry Avenue
-EXTERNAL-
Hello,
As a homeowner in the proposed area of North Long Beach, I am voicing my opposition to the proposed warehouse at 5910 Cherry Avenue.
In an area that is already underserved in green open spaces, surrounded by busy streets and highways, the construction of a warehouse with multiple truck bays is a project that should have an Environmental Impact Review. The further negative an impact on the immediate environment and blight created is something that should be considered and ultimately not be overlooked for the surrounding community. Again, this should not be overlooked.
Furthermore, I oppose this construction for the following reasons: increase in traffic, congestion by diesel-fueled big rigs and other vehicles, air pollution, increase road wear and tear exponentially, threaten health and safety, raise the urban heat index, decrease property values.
Thank you
CH-29 Correspondence – Linda Wilson
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Tuesday, March 21, 2023 2:59 PM
To: CityClerk <[email protected]>
Cc: Joni Ricks-Oddie <[email protected]>; Anjelica Vargas <[email protected]>; Forrest Osburn <[email protected]> Subject: Stop The Warehouse Project at 5910 Cherry Ave 90805 / City Council Agenda Item # 29
-EXTERNAL-
Dear Mayor and City Councilmembers,
REF: Appeal Hearing Proposed Warehouse Project at 5910 Cherry Ave, Long Beach, CA 90805
March 21st at 5:00pm at City Hall.
The project consists of the construction of a single 303,972-square-foot concrete, tilt-up industrial building that is approximately 51 feet in height. Surrounding the building are surface parking areas including 338 at-grade parking stalls and 79 truck parking stalls. The building incorporates 44 trucks, high-dock doors along the south elevation facing the abutting commercial site. The building includes 9,000 square feet of office space in the southwest corner of the building along Cherry Avenue.
According to CalEnviroScreen | OEHHA, North Long Beach has high levels of air pollution that endanger human health by causing respiratory conditions such as asthma, wheezing, decreased lung function, increased likelihood of hospital visits, heart disease, and even early death.
Research shows these kinds of projects bring traffic, noise, and pollution to nearby neighborhoods, putting the health of the community in danger and diminishing the quality-of-life.
The city should ask for a plan EIR of the area and adopt a set of regulations to reduce/control pollution before approving these kinds of developments.
Having a plan EIR in place before the approval of new developments will identify the proper mitigation and conditions to protect the health of the community and facilitate the project’s approval while encouraging responsible developments.
Establishing regulations to reduce pollution will deliver much-needed health and air quality benefits to North Long Beach residents, and if done right, policymakers can help ensure that low-income communities of color are realizing these benefits as soon as possible without adverse impacts on their health.
Adopting policies to guide warehouse development in the city’s general plan will also help jurisdictions comply with their obligations under SB 1000. This requires local government general plans to identify objectives and policies to reduce health risks in disadvantaged communities, promote civil engagement in the public decision-making process, and prioritize improvements and programs that address the needs of disadvantaged communities.
This is not about just limiting the harmful PM emissions from trucks, but about mitigating long standing pollution in the air, land, and water, and improving the quality of life, as promised, in the communities most burdened by overall pollution.
I urge the city council to protect our health by approving the appeal and requesting a full EIR.
Sincerely,
Linda Wilson
College Square Neighborhood
“This is to oppose the warehouse development at 5910 Cherry Ave and request a full EIR for this project”
My name is Linda Wilson. I am a long-time resident of District 9 in North Long Beach since 1989.
This is in support of the appeal to request a full EIR for this project because we believe that should this development be approved as planned now it will have negative effects on the local climate and community health. Traffic flow, congestion is also a concern for the 91 Freeway as well as Cherry Ave.