3985 University Avenue, Riverside, CA 92501 • Phone: (951) 683-7100 • Fax: (951) 683-2670 www.riverside-chamber.com
GREATER RIVERSIDE
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE
__________________________________________________
The Chamber…building a stronger local economy
July 19, 2023
Chair Johnny Wilder
City of Riverside Planning Commission
3900 Main St.
Riverside, CA 92501
RE: Madison Flats Gilbane Development – SUPPORT
Dear Chair Wilder,
On behalf of the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, representing over 1,100 local employers and 110,000 jobs in the Inland Southern California region, I am writing to express our SUPPORT for the Madison Flats development, located on Railroad Avenue and Madison Street in the Casa Blanca neighborhood. Gilbane Development plans to build 75 senior housing units, 45 affordable multi -family residential units , and 66 parking stalls . Developing affordable multi -family and senior housing demonstrates that Riverside is committed to meeting the state’s housing goals and the needs of a swiftly growing population.
The Chamber’s Arlington Business Council met with representatives from Gilbane Development to discuss the project’s parameters and voted strongly in support of the development.
The housing crisis has made purchasing or renting a home much more difficult over the past several years.
As population growth c ontinues, the demand for housing will continue to rise. This development would serve as the only affordable and senior housing project in Ward 4, filling a hole to ensure adequate housing for these growing populations. As an affordable housing project, Mad ison Flats also meets several requirements for a variety of state grants, including grants fro m the Strategic Growth Council, t he Affordable Housing and Sustainable Communities (AHSC) , and potentially the Transformative Climate Communities (TCC) Program.
The development’s focus on providing affordable housing is an important tool in supporting community members from a variety of different socioeconomic backgrounds while spurring economic growth in Riverside. For these reasons, we respectfully request your support for the Madison Flats development.
Thank you for your consideration. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me at 951-683-7100.
Respectfully,
Nicholas Adcock
President/CEO
NA/am
Planning Commission: July 20, 2023
Agenda 3
12 July 2023
City of Riverside
Attn: Judy Eguez, Senior Planner
3900 Main Street, 3rd Floor
Riverside, CA 92522
Submitted via email to [email protected].
Re: Madison Flats MND (SCH #2023060588)
Dear Judy Eguez,
I am writing to respond to the Mitigated Negative Declaration which was prepared for the proposed Madison Flats project to be constructed there in Riverside.
This Project would be built directly adjacent the BNSF San Bernardino Subdivision, the main route for all BNSF traffic into and out of Southern California. The BNSF mainline is also used by Amtrak long-distance service and Metrolink commuter rail trains. The 2023 State Rail Plan indicates that a mid-term project will be to provide additional tracks from Fullerton to Riverside downtown (Figure 1)1 which would include through the area where this Project is to be built. Thus, it is imperative that this Project be built with the understanding that at some point in the future, additional tracks will be built and that there will be more trains passing the site. Based on the existing track configuration, it is likely that new tracks would be added on the west side of the existing tracks, meaning that trains would be closer to the Project than is currently the case. Thus, the Project needs to be built with the appropriate mitigation to address any future concerns about trains being closer to the residences, including additional vibration or air quality concerns that would arise.
Additionally, given the site location and history of previous ownership by RCTC (Figure 2)2, it seems that it was considered for a Metrolink station at some point in the past. While it currently is not being used for that purpose, the location remains an optimal location for another station in Riverside so it would be ideal to ensure that this development would not preclude such an action from being considered in the future. While there is not necessarily a reason to have a large parking lot, appropriate preparation could include designing the Project site such that passageways to platforms would be made available.
Finally, given the proximity to the rail line, it would be appreciated if a livestream camera stream were installed on the Project and connected to a network such as Virtual Railfan. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Marven E. Norman
PO Box 1147
San Bernardino, CA 92402
CC: RailPAC, Caltrans DRMT, SCRRA, RCTC
1 2023 California State Rail Plan Appendix found at https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/rail- mass-transportation/documents/california-state-rail-plan/20230310-casrp-appendices-final.pdf. 2 Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Riverside Agenda Item Report found online at https://riversideca.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=F&ID=10703152&GUID=A20E772A-A968-4E46- AE51-0D60D1F6A450.
Planning Commission: July 20, 2023
Agenda Item 03
Madison Flats MND Response 2
Figure 1: Fullerton to Esperanza Third Track as described in the Appendix of the 2023 California State Rail Plan. This would provide additional tracks past the Project site at some point in the future.
Madison Flats MND Response 3
Figure 2: Background/Legislative History of the Project property as provided in the 19 April 2022 agenda item for the Successor Agency to the Redevelopment Agency of the City of Riverside.
Item Name Neighborhood Position Comments
3. PLANNING CASE PR-2022-001434 (GPA, RZ, DR, VC-S): Proposal by Blaise Rastello of Gilbane Development Company to consider the following entitlements to facilitate the construction of 121 multi-family units: 1) General Plan Amendment to amend the General Plan Land Use designation from MDR - Medium Density Residential and C - Commercial to HDR - High Density Residential; 2) Zoning Code Amendment to rezone the property from R-1-7000 - Single Family Residential to R-3-1500 - Multiple Family Residential; 3) Design Review of project plans; and 4) Summary Vacation to vacate portions of Pliny Street, Samuels Street, and Cary Street. The Community & Economic Development Department recommends that the Planning Commission determine the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). Contact Planner: Judy Egüez, Senior Planner, 951-826-3969, [email protected] Victor Cinco Oppose
The rezoning, approval, and construction of the Gilbane-Madison Flats project would be a community failure.
There are many reasons why this R-1-7000/Single Family Residential land has never been developed (narrow street, heavy daily traffic, etc.) So, why would it now be appropriate to rezone it into a Multiple Family Residential project? Gilbane has presented a project that looks attractive. In reality, these four plots of land should never be inhabited by humans.
This project will put the most vulnerable future community members (seniors and children) at risk. This area is already surrounded by transients, open use of drugs/alcohol, and crime.
Indiana, Madison, and Evans Streets have turned into speedways. We have a train track that sees over 100 train runs a day. Not a place for seniors or curious children to be traversing.
The project is also adjacent to a city, high voltage electric power substation. The current residents of Casa Blanca deal with these issues on a daily basis. Why, in good conscience, would you add another 400-500 residents into the mix?
Just because Sacramento is mandating these projects doesn’t mean every single project presented is going to be a good community fit.
This is a proud community, which should be respected. Not a dumping ground for an ill- conceived project.
We can do better than this!
3. PLANNING CASE PR-2022-001434 (GPA, RZ, DR, VC-S): Proposal by Blaise Rastello of Gilbane Development Company to consider the following entitlements to facilitate the construction of 121 multi-family units: 1) General Plan Amendment to amend the General Plan Land Use designation from MDR - Medium Density Residential and C - Commercial to HDR - High Density Residential; 2) Zoning Code Amendment to rezone the property from R-1-7000 - Single Family Residential to R-3-1500 - Multiple Family Residential; 3) Design Review of project plans; and 4) Summary Vacation to vacate portions of Pliny Street, Samuels Street, and Cary Street. The Community & Economic Development Department recommends that the Planning Commission determine the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP). Contact Planner: Judy Egüez, Senior Planner, 951-826-3969, [email protected] Frances
Vasquez Arlington South Oppose
Unfortunately to Casa Blanca residents, the Community & Economic Development Department recommends that the Planning Commission determine the project will not have a significant effect on the environment and adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP).
The City of Riverside decided to support the proposal by Blaise Rastello of Gilbane Development Company from Rhode Island for the following entitlements to facilitate the construction of 121 multi-famil
y units: 1) General Plan Amendment to amend the General Plan Land Use designation from MDR – Medium Density Residential and C - Commercial to HDR – High Density Residential; 2) Zoning Code Amendment to rezone the property from R-1- 7000 - Single Family Residential to R-3-1500 - Multiple Family Residential; 3) Design Review of project plans; and 4) Summary Vacation to vacate portions of Pliny Street, Samuels Street, and Cary Street.
What about the Railroad Right of Way? How close are the first floor buildings to the tracks? My major concern is the PROCESS and lack of transparency relating to this project along Railroad Avenue. So much was occluded from the community of Casa Blanca. When it went to the City Council, most Councilmembers had not visited the narrow site that follows along the Railroad tracks. It is doubtful Mr. Rastelo has seen the property. If he had, I don’t think he would place a beloved family member to live there.
The project graphics on paper and online appear attractive. In reality, it is horrible for human dwelling. The site is more appropriate for business projects.
The health and environmental impact assessments were conducted in latter January and February of 2023. Due to atmospheric rivers and unprecedented winter rainstorms, air quality here was cleaner than normal. Air quality tests would show different results today.
Hundreds of residents signed petitions stating they vehemently oppose high density, multi- family housing on Railroad Avenue. They would prefer housing in another part of their community.
The City ignored requests by community members for hard copies of reports/appendices The City ignored requests by community members for hard copies of reports/appendices relating to this project. On June 30 I spoke with Matthew of the Planning Division to request a binder of the documents to be placed at the City’s SSgt. Salvador J. Lara Casa Blanca Library. This community is basically low income and the 10 cents per page fee to print out the documents is excessive. One resident said she prefers to pay her electricity bill. Another resident stated that many are afraid to go to City Hall, in addition to transportation issues.
Historicall
y, the Casa Blanca community has endured unequal treatment resulting in not trusting local government. Residents worked hard and smart to have their voice believed. I fear the future will show how poorly the community was treated regarding this appalling Railroad Avenue hi
gh density housing project.
Public Comment for July 20, 2023
Prepared by the Planning Division at 8:00 a.m. on July 20, 2023 Planning Commission Meeting