Following opposition from Wilmington residents, the Los Angeles City Council Wednesday vetoed the Board of Harbor Commission’s approval of a proposed 18.4-acre truck parking project along John S. Gibson Boulevard and the Harbor (110) Freeway.
In an 11-0 vote, the council approved what is known as a “245 motion” introduced by Councilman Tim McOsker, who represents the 15th Council District, which includes the Harbor Area. Section 245 of the City Charter gives the council the authority to review and veto certain actions by city boards and commissions.
Council members Adrin Nazarian, Traci Park, Monica Rodriguez and Katy Yaroslavsky were absent during the vote.
“(The vote) gives me an opportunity to have further conversations. We’ve had many, but (will) have further conversations with the proposed developer and the community, particularly the Wilmington community, who will not be housing this property, but will be taking the burden of the traffic that is anticipated,” McOsker said.
“I’m just asking you to give us jurisdiction, so we can do our job,” McOsker added.
The council vote does not mean final approval or denial of the proposed project, according to McOsker’s office.
“What makes this matter particularly consequential is that this was not simply considering an individual project; it was to amend the Port Master Plan and change the land use designation of the 18-acre site,” according to a statement from McOsker’ office.
“These are significant policy considerations that Council member McOsker believes warrant further review and more public engagement,” the statement continued.
Nearly two weeks ago, the Board of Harbor Commissioners unanimously approved an environmental impact report for the proposed project, and to alter the land-use for the site into industrial.
The John S. Gibson Truck and Chassis Parking Lot Project aims to transform a private, underdeveloped plot of land into a parking lot for 393 trucks, which developers say will also improve goods movement and alleviate stress placed on nearby neighborhoods.
Trucks would be able to stage, park short-term, exchange equipment and coordinate cargo movements instead of waiting on public streets.
While supporters say the project will serve as a dedicated location for trucks that enter and leave the Port of Los Angeles, critics argue it could lead to environmental harms for residents and exacerbate the proliferation of trucks on residential streets.
“This project is about organization,” Mike Tunney, vice president of development at Howard Industrial Partners and project representative, said during the board’s June 11 meeting. “For too long, truck activity has spilled onto streets throughout the Harbor Area. This facility helps move that activity into a controlled, professionally managed industrial location where it belongs.”
Port staff and environmental consultants concluded that the EIR analyzed the project’s air quality, traffic, health risk and circulation impacts and found “no significant and unavoidable impacts.” The proposed project aims to reduce truck backups onto John S. Gibson Boulevard through a proposed driveway and queuing design.
Trips to the site would utilize the Harbor Freeway, using the John S. Gibson and Harry Bridges boulevard ramps. The project also consists of beautification plans to John Gibson Boulevard with the addition of native plants and new irrigation, among other things.
There would also be a community benefits agreement consisting of a workforce plan that includes supporting union construction jobs, hiring local residents and veterans, as well as other commitments to organizations such as the Boys & Girls Clubs of Los Angeles Harbor, Toberman Neighborhood Center, Banning High School football and other Harbor City community programs.
“This project allows us an opportunity to get trucks out of our neighborhoods,” said John Bagakis, who spoke in his capacity as a local business owner, Toberman representative and planning commissioner. “Let’s get these trucks out of our neighborhoods, beautify the property and support residents who have dealt with these impacts for decades.”
Despite the commitments, some Wilmington residents and neighborhood council representatives urged the Harbor Commission to deny the project, citing concerns about the project’s impact on air quality. They expressed concern about enforcement, truck idling and cumulative impacts to their health.