ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
MINUTES
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Call to Order/Roll Call 1:07 PM
EDC MEMBERS PRESENT
Mayor Deborah Robertson
Councilmember Ed Scott
CITY/AGENCY STAFF PRESENT
Arron Brown, Acting City Manager
Robert Messinger, Deputy City Attorney
Tanya Williams, Assistant to the CM
Colby Cataldi, Community Development Director
Paul Gonzales, Community Development Manager
Jonathan Palmer, Sergeant, Rialto Police Department
Tim Sun, Community Compliance Manager
Tom Crowley, Utilities Manager
Daniel Casey, Principal Planner
Vince Giron, Engineering Manager
Daniel Rosas, Associate Planner
Kim Dame, Administrative Analyst
PUBLIC COMMENTS – None
REVIEW/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes from the August 29, 2023 – Accepted for the Record
REPORTS/DISCUSSION ITEMS
EDC-23-860
Discussion regarding Carson Companies – Pepper 210 Commerce Center Presented by Daniel Casey
Representing Carson Companies is Todd Burnite, Dan Darnell, and James Christian Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations:
Colby Cataldi explained that this is a proposed one million square foot warehouse project on county property north of the 210 freeway. City staff has met with Carson Companies regarding pre-annexation, sphere of influence, and immediate adjacency to the City of Rialto. Taking all these conversations into account, the developer came up with a new project layout and proposal which would add more buffering and other improvements of that nature.
The developer representative stated that they have been working with the County of San Bernardino planning department and they are presenting at this meeting in an effort to be good neighbors and to explain what the project is all about. The current use is heavy industrial, and the plan is to create a new lighter industrial use that is more environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing to the area. This plan includes the reduction of truck trips in the area, especially along Highland Avenue into the City of Rialto. A newly placed entrance would direct trucks off the freeway and into the development property area and back onto the freeway with little to no need for travel on Highland or southbound Pepper Avenue.
The developer showed a series of renderings depicting what the current use and proposed use will look like, including videos showing proposed traffic patterns. Landscape plans were shown, and the developer stated they plan to plant over 1,000 trees on the property including a large buffer zone around the property location. Afghan pines are part of the landscape plan, which filter PM2.5 at much higher rate than any other plants available today. Plans also include a ¾ mile long queuing lane for trucks that is all on-property.
Mayor Robertson asked about the building possibly being vacant for a while, as it is a speculative building. The developer replied that the demand for one million plus square foot buildings such as this one is high and the possibility of it remaining vacant is very low.
Councilman Scott asked how many parking spaces the site would have and if this building was being designed for Amazon. The developer stated it was not being designed specifically for Amazon, but it is intended as a distribution center, and a building of this size would have approximately 500-520 employees. Councilman Scott’s concern is with the amount of passenger vehicle trips being generated by a building of this size and the impact to streets and traffic in Rialto.
Councilman Scott asked about notification to surrounding residents and how wide a radius was used for outreach purposes. The developer stated that the County requires 750 feet is the radius for this project from each property line. The neighborhood scoping meeting was held at the movie theater in the Renaissance shopping center but was not well attended by the public. CCAEJ did respond to the notification and the developer has stated they have incorporated many of their suggestions and feedback into the project.
Councilman Scott addressed the use of Rialto services (Police and Fire) for the new project, as they are closest in proximity, and suggested annexation of the property into the City of Rialto. Mr. Cataldi stated staff has been in conversation with the developer about pre-annexation and starting that process.
The developer concluded by stating how the proposed use would be an improvement over the current heavy industrial use and thanked the EDC for their time.
EDC-23-857
Update on proposed industrial building at Casmalia Street and Linden Avenue Presented by Daniel Casey
John Shardlow with Allen Matkins representing Ayres Black Creek Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations
Mr. Casey is giving an update on the project that is to redevelop the Columbia Steel site at the NE corner of Casmalia and Linden. The initial presentation to EDC happened in November of 2021 was for an industrial warehouse building just under 400,000 sq. feet. A neighborhood meeting was held on December 1, 2021, at Sunrise Church with about a dozen people in attendance. In early March 2022, the project moved forward with entitlement applications and is now nearing readiness to be seen by the Planning Commission.
Mr. Cataldi brought up that as this project gets closer to going before Planning Commission, the discussion of a voluntary community benefit agreement was brought up with the developer. The developer will be getting back to staff with their proposal. It was clarified that a development agreement is the document that would contain a voluntary community benefit, if any.
Mayor Robertson asked about what is being done to separate the building and the residents nearby. Mr. Casey answered that there is a buffer of approximately 45-50 feet between the building and the current property line wall. Councilman Scott addressed concerns of there being very little landscaping.
Councilman asked why this project was being seen again by EDC. Mr. Cataldi replied that because of the adjacency to the residential neighborhood and the introduction of a possible community benefit agreement were the reasons. Councilman Scott stated that his understanding is that we are trying to model the City of Fontana, where we would only ask for a community benefit agreement on General Plan amendments and variances/zone changes. Discussion was had about what changes to a project would generate the need for it to be seen by the EDC more than once before going to Planning Commission.
The developer did address some of the changes to the project, such as some landscaping differences to provide better buffering and privacy for the residential neighborhood. Mr. Casey pointed out that noticing did go out to property and business owners in a 1000-foot radius of the project site. Mayor Robertson asked how many dock doors there were and if a tenant was identified. Mr. Casey stated there are 54 dock doors. The developer responded that the building is speculative.
EDC-23-856
Update on proposed industrial building at 160 N. Cactus Avenue Presented by Daniel Rosas
John Shardlow with Allen Matkins representing Ayres Black Creek Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations
Daniel Rosas began by stating that this project began in the summer of 2022 and was first seen by EDC in November 2022. EDC suggested the applicant reach out to the community, which did take place. The project is a building just over 159,000 sq. ft. and is in a current M-1 zone, requiring no zoning change. The developer is applying for a lot line adjustment as well as requesting a variance to construct the project in phases to evolve around the completion of the nearby county project. Mr. Cataldi stated that a deferral agreement would be entered into with the developer to ensure completion of both phases of this project. Mr. Cataldi also stated that once this project is approved, there will be longer term issues that will need to be resolved. Mr. Messinger brought up the lot line adjustment – it will have to be approved by the City Council after it goes back to the Planning Commission.
The developer addressed Mayor Robertson’s question and stated that Golden State Environmental Justice Alliance are not a true environmental organization and withdrew their letter of opposition. The developer advised that by doing the lot line adjustment as recommended, they lost loading docks and square footage on the building, aside from a lot of money addressing those issues. There is an easement that runs from Rialto up to the well site which the City owns along with a property North of the well site. This was swapped for the property South of the well site. The developer advised that they gave up more land than they swapped for. Mr. Cataldi advised that the Planning Department never saw a submittal of the original plans so the team didn’t have any idea what the changes were.
Mayor Robertson asked what the distance is from this proposed building to the closest school. It was confirmed that the closest elementary is 1,000 feet from the site. The developer advised that all trucks would be routed appropriately. Staff agreed that the air pollutant sites were there way before the schools in the surrounding area to the project site. The developer advised that they have done all the buffering of the layout and expressed that they are sensitive to those concerns. The comments received from the school district mentions having safe sidewalks, to use enhanced cross walk signals and the topic of truck routing.
Mayor Robertson voices her suggestions as to which conditions should be included to address the school district’s concerns. Mr. Cataldi mentioned that he has already asked the developer what they will do to go above and beyond what the City’s development code standards. The developer advised that this project has been going on for two years, and he believes that there is no nexus to the project with regards to what is being asked to be completed. The developer and city staff discuss the potential of including a fair share to pay for traffic-related enhancements.
EDC-23-853
Property disposition of citywide Successor Agency, Housing Authority and City-owned property, including Miro Way and downtown infill properties Presented by Colby Cataldi
Committee Comments/Questions/Recommendations
Mr. Cataldi provides a brief overview of the types of properties residing in the City of Rialto. Mr. Cataldi mentions that the City needs to work on getting the developers’ interest involved. It is brought up that we do have NSP funds readily available to support a couple of housing projects moving forward. Mr. Cataldi states that Newland has reached out to keep the conversation alive as they are interested in having a housing project move forward. Lewis is also interested in enabling the project to move forward.
Mayor Robertson asks for clarification as to which project Newland and Lewis want to partake in. Mr. Cataldi clarifies that he refers to the industrial project. Mayor Robertson suggests that the City waits until a similar offer is made to what was originally offered for the project. Mr. Cataldi reaffirms that Newland is still highly interested in taking ownership of this project at what the current market price is. Staff deliberates the current retail prices.
Mr. Cataldi reminds staff members that the City is currently paying for a specific plan amendment to change the zoning of the parcels on the south side to industrial zoning. Mr. Cataldi advises that Lennar is moving forward as plans have already been submitted. Councilman Scott recommends that an unsolicited offer from both Newland and Lewis is obtained to present to City Council for discussion. Mr. Cataldi recommends that on the north of Merrill the City reaffirms with Lewis that all work has been stopped. Mr. Messinger reminds everyone that all these properties must first go to the Surplus Land Act Process before an RDA is done and explains the process.
Mayor Robertson inquires as to what is the total acreage of properties and the type of inventory on hand. Mr. Cataldi advises that a table can be created to illustrate this information.
Mayor Robertson mentions that she wants to see an ordinance or code regarding pop up street vendors and whether they are considered legal or illegal. Mr. Messinger states that the state of California keeps decriminalizing these vendors; specifically with the Senate Bill No. 972. Mr. Messinger confirmed that those small street food vendors are illegal. Mr. Sun mentions that they are allowed to confiscate their property if they refuse to leave the vicinity. Mayor Robertson questions what the City of Rialto is doing to rectify this issue. Mr. Sun advises that overtime night time shifts have begun by Code Enforcement.
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 2:59 p.m.