Section 42352.5 Of Article 2. Variances From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 26. >> Part 4. >> Chapter 4. >> Article 2.
42352.5
. (a) The hearing board, in determining whether or not the
petitioner has presented evidence sufficient to make the finding
specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 42352 or
paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 42368, shall consider, in
addition to any other relevant factors, both of the following:
(1) In determining whether or not conditions exist which are
beyond the reasonable control of the petitioner, the hearing board
shall consider the extent to which the petitioner took actions to
comply or seek a variance, which were timely and reasonable under the
circumstances. In so doing, the hearing board shall consider actions
taken by the petitioner since the adoption of the rule, regulation,
or order from which the variance is sought.
(2) In determining whether or not requiring compliance would
result in either an arbitrary or unreasonable taking of property or
the practical closing and elimination of a lawful business, the
hearing board shall consider whether or not an unreasonable burden
would be imposed upon the petitioner if immediate compliance is
required.
(b) (1) As used in this subdivision, "small business" has the same
meaning as defined by the Small Business Administration, except that
no stationary source which is a major source, as defined by
applicable provisions of the federal Clean Air Act (42 U.S.C. Sec.
7661(2)), is a small business.
(2) If the petitioner is a small business and emits 10 tons or
less per year of air contaminants, the hearing board shall consider
the factors specified in subdivision (a) in the following manner:
(A) In determining the extent to which the petitioner took timely
actions to comply or seek a variance, the hearing board shall make
specific inquiries into, and shall take into account, the reasons for
any claimed ignorance of the requirement from which a variance is
sought.
(B) In determining the extent to which the petitioner took
reasonable actions to comply, the hearing board shall make specific
inquiries into, and shall take into account, the petitioner's
financial and other capabilities to comply.
(C) In determining whether or not the burden of requiring
immediate compliance would be unreasonable, the hearing board shall
make specific inquiries into, and shall consider, the impact on the
petitioner's business and the benefit to the environment which would
result if the petitioner is required to immediately comply.