Laserfiche WebLink
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 />