The Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners Thursday unanimously approved an environmental impact report for a proposed 18.4-acre truck parking site along John S. Gibson Boulevard and the Harbor (110) Freeway.
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 12-wheel trucks, which officials say will also improve goods movement efficiency and alleviate stress placed on nearby neighborhoods.
With the board’s approval, the project now advances to the California Coastal Commission for review.
Supports of the project argued the proposed facility will serve as a dedicated location for trucks that enter and leave the Port of Los Angeles. Trucks would be able to stage, park short-term, exchange equipment and coordinate cargo movements instead of waiting on public streets.
“This project is about organization,” Mike Tunney, vice president of development at Howard Industrial Partners and project representative, said during the 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 the EIR analyzed the projects 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.
Proponents argue the project is ideal as it fits with the land’s industrial usage designation.
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 such as 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,” John Bagakis said, 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 to air quality. They expressed concern about enforcement, truck idling and cumulative impacts to the their health and community.