TITLE
Recommendation to adopt resolution and map of the Long Beach Enterprise Zone; and direct City Manager to submit the resolution and map to the State of California. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
The California Enterprise Zone Program was developed to provide targeted geographic areas with a means to stimulate business growth and attract new companies, jobs and investments. Firms located within an Enterprise Zone are eligible for various state tax incentives that can substantially reduce their cost of doing business.
In December 2006, the California Department of Housing and Community Development (Department) provisionally approved the application of the City of Long Beach for a redesignation of the Long Beach Enterprise Zone. Formal approval requires an Environmental Impact Report, which was submitted August 9, 2007, and notification of formal approval by the State is expected by the close of calendar year 2007.
There are four landfill oil islands in Long Beach harbor: Grissom, White, Chaffee and Freeman. These islands are utilized for oil extraction, gas extraction and processing.
These islands are subject to the local coastal development permit requirements and procedures, as found in Division IX of Chapter 21 :25 of the Long Beach Municipal Code, but not Zoning Regulations (21.10.030 Section B).
The four oil islands house a significant industrial operation. Grissom Island is considered part of Census Tract 576100, which is part of the Long Beach Enterprise Zone application. White, Chaffee and Freeman are not part of that census tract, but are integral components of the four-island oil and gas extraction infrastructure.
At the request of officials from the Department, the City was asked to clarify the City's intention to include all four oil islands in the Enterprise Zone by means of a resolution.
A map of the Long Beach Enterprise Zone, including all four of the oil islands (Grissom, White, Chaffee and Freeman) is attached as Exhibit A.
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