Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed a controversial bill that establishes siting and design standards for industrial warehouses that supporters say will better protect the health of residents who live nearby.

This law was enacted according to what developers wanted. Converted large strip It will connect a portion of the site along the Inland Empire Expressway to a logistics corridor for e-commerce, connecting online shoppers across the country with goods shipped to ports in Southern California. Supporters of the development say it will bring jobs and infrastructure improvements, but many residents living in the shade lament pollution, traffic and neighborhood disruption.

Starting in 2026, AB 98 would prohibit cities and counties from approving new or expanded distribution centers unless they meet specified criteria. New warehouse developments should be located on major highways or local roads that are primarily used for commercial purposes. And warehouses must be located hundreds of feet away from so-called “sensitive areas” such as homes, schools, and medical facilities.

Additionally, if a developer demolishes a home to build a warehouse, the bill would require them to build two new units of affordable housing for every unit demolished. Developers will be required to provide 12 months' worth of rent to evacuated tenants.

The bill's co-author, Rep. Juan Carrillo (D-Palmdale), previously described the bill as a “very sensitive project” that resulted from lengthy negotiations between groups including labor, health, environment, and business representatives. “It's a compromise,” he said.

While some labor groups supported the bill, environmental, community and civic groups across the state opposed the bill's secrecy, created late in the session, and its ability to impose higher standards on warehouse developers. He claimed that he was not able to do so.

Several cities also oppose the bill, which, according to a Senate Appropriations Committee analysis, would require general plan updates and would cost cities and counties tens of millions of dollars in some cases. could result in one-time costs that could run into the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Environmentalists are particularly concerned about the bill's setback requirements for projects involving warehouses of 250,000 square feet or more that are within 900 feet of homes, schools, parks, or medical facilities.

In such cases, the bill would require the truck loading area to be located at least 300 feet from the property line in industrial zones and 500 feet from the property line in non-industrial zones. Masu. Warehouses must also comply with design and energy efficiency standards.

Supporters argued that the bill would only codify current warehouse development practices and undermine local efforts to support a much larger setback recommended by state officials.

in 2022 report Regarding best practices for warehouse projects under state environmental laws, the state attorney general's office requires warehouse facilities to be located at least 1,000 feet from the property lines of sensitive areas such as residences and schools. It is recommended that it be placed. it is, State Air Resources BoardIn 2005, pollutant concentrations were estimated to be 80% lower approximately 1,000 feet from distribution centers.

This article is part of the Times article equity reporting initiative, was funded by James Irvine Foundationexplores the challenges facing low-income workers and the efforts being made to address them. Economic inequality in California.