City Councilwoman Ysabel Jurado will announce Tuesday a seven-motion legislative package intended to support Boyle Heights residents who continue to be impacted by the effects of a warehouse fire that occurred nearly seven weeks ago.
On Tuesday morning, Jurado is expected to unveil what she is calling the Fire Recovery and Environmental Justice Package. The councilwoman, who represents Boyle Heights, said the package was built around three commitments: providing immediate relief, accountability and building lasting community power.
Altogether, the motions call for immediate relief from odors and vermin; dedicated casework for affected residents and businesses; state support to accelerate cleanup; legal and permitting safeguards against a “business-as-usual” rebuild; public release of final water-quality results; and a permanent Environmental Justice and Advocacy Advisory Commission shaped by impacted communities.
“Together, the motions would move the city’s response beyond debris removal and toward measurable relief, public accountability and a stronger community voice in what happens next,” according to a statement from Jurado’s office.
Jurado will be joined by Boyle Heights residents and members of East Yard Communities for Environmental Justice for the announcement at City Hall. She is expected to discuss additional details of the package.
Her announcement comes four days after Mayor Karen Bass issued an executive order Friday halting consideration of the company’s rebuilding plans as residents called for the facility’s permanent closure.
During the 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.
Jurado had said she would introduce an interim control ordinance to temporarily pause new large cold-storage facilities near residential neighborhoods and schools.
“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 Los Angeles, joined Bass and Jurado for the announcement. Solis noted she will present a motion 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 onelineage.com/boyle-heights-fire-response to provide updates on the cleanup efforts.
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.