As Boyle Heights and East Los Angeles residents rallied to demand the permanent closure of the fire-damaged Lineage Logistics cold-storage warehouse, Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order Friday halting consideration of the company’s plans to rebuild the facility.
At a Friday morning news conference, Bass accused Lineage officials of failing to provide adequate support for residents in nearby communities, including a failure to provide relocation assistance for those most impacted.
“They failed to adequately address the horrific odors,” Bass said. “They failed to prevent flies and rats from migrating to the neighborhoods around the warehouse. And that’s why today I’m issuing emergency executive order number three, directing city departments not to process Lineage rebuilding plans until the city and the public have had an opportunity to review the investigation.”
Lineage has submitted paperwork to the city to begin the process of rebuilding the facility — a move that drew ire from Bass, residents and other elected officials, with cleanup efforts at the burned-out facility still underway and residents still coping with the effects of millions of pounds of rotting food at the site.
The mayor directed the departments of city planning, and building and safety to investigate and analyze the Lineage site, and its proposed future uses. They are expected to provide recommendations on ways in which the city can apply a review and approval process for any future land uses proposed by the owner.
Bass also requested the City Council approve an ordinance to enact a moratorium on large cold-storage facilities near residential areas, parks and schools. This would give the city an opportunity to study the issues and enact new legislation regulating such facilities.
“Lineage’s priority must be finishing this cleanup. I can’t believe they would even think about starting the rebuilding process while they haven’t cleaned up the mess,” Bass said. “It’s a slap in the face to the families who are living every day with the horrific smells, the growing fly infestation and the constant uncertainty about when this hell will end.”
City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado, who represents Boyle Heights, welcomed the mayor’s latest executive order related to the warehouse. Jurado said she plans to introduce an interim control ordinance next week to temporarily pause new large cold-storage facilities near residential neighborhoods.
“Accountability must come before reconstruction, and we cannot go back to business as usual,” Jurado said.
L.A. County Supervisor Hilda Solis, who represents cities and unincorporated areas in East L.A., joined Bass and Jurado for the announcement. Solis noted she will present a motion next Tuesday to increase penalties for public health violations related to the Lineage facility.
Lineage officials issued a statement Friday disputing the comments of elected officials.
“We strongly disagree with the characterization of Lineage’s cleanup efforts and transparency,” according to the company. “We will continue cleaning up the site around the clock, providing daily reports to officials and regulators, posting frequent updates on our dedicated landing page and social media channel, and providing resources to the Boyle Heights community.”
The company previously established a website at www.onelineage.com/boyle-heights-fire-response to provide updates on the cleanup efforts.
Bass’ announcement came just ahead of a rally by residents and community groups in Boyle Heights, including the Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment, Eastside Padres Contra la Privatización and East Area UTLA.
The residents called for a permanent closure of the facility. The group said residents continue to complain about foul odors emanating from the warehouse and are demanding a full environmental investigation, a thorough cleanup of the surrounding area, immediate housing relief for affected families, transparency regarding state emergency funding and accountability for Lineage and government agencies involved in the response.
The rally followed an announcement this week by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health that it would increase financial penalties — up to $2,000 per day — against Lineage for ongoing public health violations at the site.
The health department has issued six citations against Lineage since July 23. Initially, the county fined the company $500 per day for each citation, and said it would continue to do so until the violations are corrected. Starting Wednesday, county officials said they will cite each violation separately. Additional citations will be issued if unsanitary or nuisance conditions in the surrounding community continue during subsequent inspections.
A fire broke out June 17 at the warehouse at 1400 S. Los Palos St., sending thick smoke into the air and prompting officials to warn nearby residents to remain indoors. The city, county and state issued local emergency declarations in the days that followed. It took more than a week to fully douse the fire.
DPH investigators reviewed the warehouse on July 15. The official inspection report identified violations that remained outstanding after re-inspection.
Inspectors found an accumulation of decaying organic waste, wastewater and food residue in two different freezers, as well as live and dead flies in various locations of the warehouse. They also found 20 or more fly larvae on the exterior plastic sheeting along the northern perimeter wall, on the nearby sidewalk and on the street along Union Pacific Avenue.
The county has ordered Lineage to do the following:
— Remove and properly dispose of all fire-damaged food, putrescible waste, and other decomposing organic materials from the property in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations;
— Eliminate all actual and potential fly breeding sources, including accumulations of organic debris, contaminated liquids, and any other materials capable of supporting fly development;
— Thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected areas to remove residues that may attract or support flies and other vectors;
— Implement effective vector control measures, including treatment of active breeding areas by a licensed pest control operator; and
— Take all necessary measures to prevent flies originating from the property from migrating to neighboring properties or creating an ongoing public health nuisance.
Public health officials said they were monitoring corrective actions and conducting regular inspections to verify compliance.
The department also issued a directive to Lineage on June 29 that requires mitigation efforts in the impacted communities related to the facility fire and subsequent decaying food waste.
Lineage has been removing the food waste as part of its recovery process. The company said on July 25 that all food waste from the burned-out part of the building had been sealed in deodorized containers and was being transported off-site.
Bass earlier set a 45-day deadline for Lineage to complete the cleanup of the site. Company officials said last week they respect the community’s outrage with continuing odors and other impacts, but said they are working as quickly as possible to clear the site.
“We are working around the clock on odor control, pest control and the removal of food waste and we will not stop until the site is clean and the community can move forward,” the company said in a statement one week ago. “Cleaning up a site with this much food waste is an enormous undertaking and we understand why regulators are watching closely — we would expect nothing less. As more waste is removed and our cleanup efforts progress, we expect conditions to continue to improve. The citations simply reflect the reality of what we’re dealing with not a lack of urgency or commitment on our part. … We are moving as fast and safely as we can and doing everything we can for this community until the cleanup is finished.”
The cause of the fire remains under investigation, although Lineage officials have said they believe it started while a subcontractor for Altus Power, which owns the rooftop solar array, was testing the system. Altus Power has said the cause has not been determined, and its primary concern remains the surrounding community.