Redlands rezones land for 2,300 homes to meet state housing mandate
City Council advances major plan, despite environmental impacts flagged in new report
Redlands City Council approved a sweeping rezoning plan on June 3 that paves the way for more than 2,300 new housing units by converting industrial and commercial land into residential zones.
Why it matters: The vote marks a huge step in the city’s implementation of its 2021-2029 Housing Element. The rezoning fulfills a requirement under the state-certified housing plan designed to address the shortage of land available for housing by October 2025. Under this program, the city must rezone to provide land for at least 4,219 units, 1,898 of which are very low and low income units.
Details: The plan rezones 17 parcels — mostly in West Redlands near Citrus Avenue, Nevada Street, and Alabama Street — with additional sites scattered across North Redlands.
Nearly all of the parcels had been zoned for commercial or industrial use. Under this rezoning, most will be converted to R-2 or R-3 multifamily residential zones. Under this rezoning, most will be converted to R-2 or R-3 multifamily residential zones.
The Council member Denise Davis abstained from voting on two specific parcels near her residence but supported the rest of the measure.
🍊 City Council agenda: The Redlands City Council will meet Tuesday, June 17, with a full agenda that includes a real estate transfer agreement for the Redlands Museum of Redlands, a wildland fire protection agreement with CalFire and a $1 million contract for city sports field maintenance. Here’s how the meeting breaks down:
💨 SCAQMD rejects rules to phase out gas appliances: After months of debate, air regulators voted 7-5 to reject new rules that would have phased out gas-powered water heaters and furnaces in homes across Southern California beginning in 2027. The proposed rules were expected to slash nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions — a major cause of smog and respiratory illness — by a third by 2037 and nearly all by 2061. Redlands, along with other Inland Empire cities, had voiced strong opposition to the rules, citing high costs for homeowners and limited rebate funding. Read more here.
📍 12 'No Kings' protests planned across Inland Empire, Saturday: A dozen cities across the Inland Empire will participate in Saturday’s nationwide “No Kings” protest movement—organized by the grassroots group 50501 to oppose authoritarianism and defend democratic values. The June 14 rallies coincide with Trump’s birthday, Flag Day, and a military parade in D.C. Redlands, Riverside, Temecula, Palm Springs and more are on the list. Read more here.
🚨 Weekly Crime Report: Domestic Violence Standoff, Armed Robbery, and DUI Crashes. Redlands police responded to a domestic abuse incident that turned into a standoff, a fatal pursuit crash, and multiple DUI arrests over the past week. A protest that escalated into altercations also kept first responders busy. Read more here.
✉️ RPD joins Blue Envelope Program: The Redlands Police Department has joined the Blue Envelope Program, a voluntary effort aimed at improving communication between law enforcement and individuals with disabilities or conditions that may affect their ability to interact during a traffic stop.Read more about the program and how to sign up here.
Emergency Alert System Test Set for June 16: The city of Redlands will test its Emergency Notification Alert System on Monday, June 16. No action is needed during the test—but now is a great time to make sure you're signed up to receive emergency alerts. The system sends critical updates during wildfires, floods, evacuations, and other public safety threats. Read more here. 📲 Sign up today to get alerts by text, call, or email: https://www.smart911.com/smart911/ref/reg.action?pa=cityofredlands
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Redlands Bowl and Redlands Theatre Festival kick off June 20
Two of Redlands’ most cherished summer traditions return Friday, June 20, offering, family-friendly entertainment under the stars. Whether you prefer live theater or orchestral music, both venues offer an array of shows.
The Redlands Theatre Festival opens its 53rd season at Prospect Park with five rotating productions, including three musicals, a classic comedy, and a one-night-only concert. Performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays at 8:30 p.m. through Aug. 2.
Just down the hill, the Redlands Bowl Summer Music Festival returns June 20 with a tribute to Whitney Houston. The 2025 concert lineup features 20 world-class performances on Tuesday and Friday evenings at the Redlands Bowl, with additional shows on select dates. Audiences can expect a mix of tribute acts, patriotic pops, ballet, mariachi, swing and Broadway classics.
Performances begin at 8 p.m., and guests are encouraged to arrive early. Seating is first-come, first-served, and a free-will offering is collected at intermission. Patron are welcome to sit in the amphitheater bench seating or bring lawn chairs and blankets for the surrounding grassy areas.
The city is again supporting the festival with in-kind services valued at more than $42,000, including street closures and public safety staffing to help keep this Redlands tradition thriving.
Admission is always free, with no tickets required.
Youth artists shine in Redlands Art Association’s 2025 Expo
The Redlands Art Association’s annual Youth Art Expo returned over Memorial Day weekend with its largest showing since before the pandemic, drawing more than 120 entries from student artists across the region.
Hosted in conjunction with Art in the Park, the 2025 show introduced two new award categories—High School 3-D Art and the MCAEEF Special Award—and recognized winners in five age divisions, plus overall Best in Show recipients.
🏆 Redlands Chamber wins top statewide honor: The Redlands Chamber of Commerce has been named CalChamber’s first-ever Chamber of the Year, earning praise for its innovative workforce programs, leadership development and community engagement efforts. Executive Director Evan Sanford called the award a reflection of “momentum” and the “collective achievement” of members and staff. Now, the Chamber plans to celebrate by taking the award into the community—literally. Read more here.
🕊️ In Memoriam: Daniel James McHugh Jr. Longtime Redlands city attorney, dies at 68 McHugh guided the city through decades of legal and civic change, including pivotal land use decisions and city manager transitions. Read more here.
☀️ Sun safety starts with your skin. In this week’s health column, Dr. Landen B. Green of Caravel Health DPC breaks down the ABCDEs of skin cancer warning signs, a simple, doctor-approved checklist to help you spot potentially dangerous moles. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or heading into PSL season, don’t forget the sunscreen—and this guide. Read more here:
The high school football season is now less than three months away.
The three Redlands Unified comprehensive high schools have released their schedules and two of them – Redlands High and Redlands East Valley – open their seasons the third weekend of August. Private school Arrowhead Christian begins its season the same week.
Redlands East Valley High legend Krista (Vansant) Hendrickson returning to West Coast
She’s coming back.
Redlands East Valley High graduate Krista (Vansant) Hendrickson, one of the greatest athletes in Inland Empire history, is returning to the West Coast.
Monday it was announced that Hendrickson is leaving her job as an assistant women’s volleyball coach at the University of Illinois, to take a similar post at her alma mater, the University of Washington.
Redlands FC scores 17 goals in two games, climbs into playoff position ahead of road trip finale
Redlands FC exploded for 17 goals in two matches this week, including a record-setting 14-0 rout of Coachella SC on Saturday and a gritty 3-2 comeback win over SoCal Eagles on Wednesday. With standout performances from forwards Javier Hernandez, Luka Lukic, and Troy Elgersma, Redlands has surged into second place in the Southwest Division.
Saturday’s match against AMSG marks the end of a grueling five-game road stretch. A win would further solidify Redlands’ playoff push before they return home for four key matches, starting June 19 against Capo FC.
Kickoff vs. AMSG is at 7 p.m. Saturday and will be streamed live on SportsEngine.
📌 Sat. June 14 - Touch a Truck: Redlands Rotary Club Touch-A-Truck is an affordable event, fit for the whole family. From 9am – 2pm, come learn about the dozens of vehicles – emergency vehicles, transport vehicles, tow trucks, public health and safety trucks, buses and more – that will line the stadium parking lot. Visitors even get a chance to climb inside the trucks, honk the horns, and flash the lights.More information here.
📌 Sat. June 14 - Redlands Night Out: Join the Redlands Chamber and Town & Gown for a family night at the ballpark with the IE 66ers! Enhance your experience by adding a ticket for an Arrow train ride to and from the game. Plus, be among the first to grab a stylish IE 66ers pickers hat, available while supplies last. More information here.
📌 Fri. June 20, 10 to 11:30am - Fire Safety at Healthy East Valley Meeting: As fire season begins across Southern California, local fire officials will join the Healthy East Valley coalition on Friday, June 20, for a public meeting focused on wildfire safety and community preparedness.Read more here.
📌 Sat. June 21, 1 - 4 pm - Scientist-Turned-Artist Featured at Redlands Art Association: Ernesto Gomez spent decades as a physics professor before discovering a love for watercolor. Now retired, he’s embracing bold color, imagination and loose brushwork in a new show at Redlands Art Association. The exhibit opens June 7 and runs through July 4. Come meet the artist and explore a vibrant collection inspired by memory, nature, and curiosity.Read more here.
📌 Sat. June 21, 10am - 5pm - Redlands Juneteenth Festival: The city’s 8th Annual Juneteenth Celebration returns to Sylvan Park on Saturday, June 21, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., offering a full day of entertainment, education, and family fun. Presented by the city of Redlands in partnership with Unity in the Community, Common Vision Coalition, the Redlands Police Department, The Village Second Baptist Church, and Portrait Church, the free event commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans and celebrates Black culture and community.Read more here:
In case you missed it, our summer fun guide is out. If you're looking for ways to beat the heat without breaking the bank or places for kids to spend time while school is out check out these indoor and outdoor options ranging from bowling to rock climbing, summer camps and splash pads.
A third-generation San Francisco native. His first job was in Watsonville, where he wrote stories on a typewriter and people smoked in the office. He's covered Redlands, San Bernardino and Riverside.
Siw is the ultimate cheerleader of what happens in Redlands. She is a dual citizen (Danish and American) who likes to write about what is new as much as about the things we take for granted.
Caden Henderson has been a journalist since he was five. He has interviewed athletes like Mike Trout. Caden is pursuing a degree at the University of Redlands. He is also the voice of Redlands FC.
Kathryne Mccann
Kathryne Mccann
Kathryne Mccann
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Community Forward Redlands
Community Forward Redlands
Community Forward Redlands
Siw Heede
Community Forward Redlands
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Contributor
Contributor
John Murphy
John Murphy
Caden Henderson
Caden Henderson
Caden Henderson
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
Kathryne Mccann
