Planners deny distribution warehouse 275 feet from local kindergarten

REDLANDS, Calif. – Following an extensive review process that began in April, the Redlands Planning Commission officially rejected a proposed distribution warehouse west of Downtown Redlands and just a few hundred feet from local schools.

The Commission passed Resolution 1632 on Tuesday, May 28, to deny Prologis Inc.'s permit requests for a 197,397-square-foot distribution warehouse at 301 Tennessee Street, the site of the former La-Z-Boy factory.

Why it matters: During the public hearing on April 23, the Commission received more than 50 public comments in opposition to the distribution warehouse. Commissioners and the public who opposed the development cited concerns over worsening air quality, proximity to schools, increasing traffic, and a mismatch in the neighborhood aesthetic. 

Details: Following the public hearing and deliberation, the Commission directed city staff to draft a resolution for denial, which was revisited at the May 14 meeting. At that meeting, the applicant requested a six-month continuance, which the Commission rejected, reinforcing their stance on denying the project.

The resolution presented at Tuesday's meeting included several findings that the proposed project failed to satisfy, including failure to align with the city's land use plans, safety and traffic concerns, and incompatibility with the character and infrastructure of the surrounding area.

The proposed warehouse, located just 275 feet north of a kindergarten and 380 feet from a middle school, would have been 10 feet taller and nearly 120 feet longer than any other single building on Tennessee Street, according to the resolution.

What they're saying: Vice Chair Matt Ensley and Commissioner Conrad Guskowski, who spearheaded the discussions during the initial hearing, affirmed that the resolution accurately reflected the Commission's deliberations. "I believe it does capture as best it can the essence of the discussion," Ensley said, acknowledging the complexity of the issues debated.

Mattie Sorrentino, director of corporate communications at Prologis, said in an email to CFR that Progolis plans to continue working on the project.

“We are disappointed by the Planning Commission’s decision but plan to continue to work with the city and the community on this project. Our redevelopment plans would improve the site’s current physical conditions and create more jobs. We are proud to be part of the Redlands business community and contribute to the local economy through jobs, tax revenues and our role in helping deliver goods that families and businesses need throughout the community.”

Dive deeper: The resolution provides the following reasons for denying Conditional Use Permit No. 1182 and Commission Review & Approval No. 948:

1. Land Use Consistency: The proposed warehouse and logistics facility would adversely affect the city's land use plans. The property was intended for low-intensity industrial use, specifically a furniture manufacturing facility, which is incompatible with the new proposed use. Surrounding areas include professional offices, schools, and residential neighborhoods, making the high-intensity warehouse unsuitable.
2. Public Health and Safety: The development would be detrimental to public health and safety due to increased traffic, especially from large trucks, which are anticipated to be about 115 per day. The traffic study did not adequately assess the impact on local freeway ramps and streets, which could lead to congestion and safety issues at railroad crossings. The resolution notes that "in recent years, the City of Redlands emergency services have been called for automobile and pedestrian collisions with trains (resulting in several serious injuries and fatalities to motorists and pedestrians)."
3. Appropriateness of Location: The proposed warehouse is not suitable for the location due to its height and scale, which are inconsistent with the surrounding buildings that are mostly one or two stories. The project's design is more compatible with warehouse developments located farther away, not with the current neighborhood character.
4. Street and Highway Design: The local streets are not designed to handle the volume and type of traffic the warehouse would generate, specifically large trucks. The designated truck route on Kansas Street lacks the necessary infrastructure, such as adequate lanes and space for truck queuing.
5. Compatibility with Surrounding Development: The proposed warehouse's height, form, and materials are incompatible with the surrounding commercial and office buildings. At 40 feet tall the proposed building would be 10 feet taller and nearly 120 feet longer than any other single building on Tennessee Street. The design, including its large concrete facade, does not match the architectural character of nearby structures, which feature more varied materials and designs.

The full resolution can be viewed on the meeting agenda here.

Moving forward: The applicant can choose to appeal the Commission's decision to the City Council, according to city staff.

Sorrentino did not specify whether Prologis plans to appeal the decision.