IRVINE, Calif.-This southern California suburb on Tuesday became the first city in the country to approve a sweeping ordinance aimed at sharply reducing the release of chlorofluorocarbons and other ozone-depleting compounds into the atmosphere. 

The measure, stoutly opposed by a number of the city's high-technology and aerospace-related firms, on businesses to meet a series of stringent environmental requirements by next July 1 or face misdemeanor charges.