Council accepts petition certification, opts for June 2, 2026 election on the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan
Council accepts petition certification, opts for June 2, 2026 election on the Freeway Corridor Specific Plan
YUCAIPA, Calif. — Yucaipa voters will decide in June 2026 whether to overturn a key component of the city’s Freeway Corridor Specific Plan after the City Council voted 3–1 on Monday to place the referendum on the ballot rather than repeal it outright. Mayor Jon Thorp joined Council Members Bob Miller and Judy Woolsey in voting for the election. Council Member Chris Venable cast the lone dissenting vote. Council Member Justin Beaver was absent.
Why it matters: The decision follows the county’s certification of a petition filed by Yucaipa Neighbors Opposing Warehouses (Yucaipa NOW) to overturn Resolution 2025-54, which updated zoning along the I-10 corridor.
Since Aug. 25, Yucaipa NOW has filed two petitions, each with more than 5,000 signatures, in an effort to halt a 2 million-square-foot distribution warehouse near Live Oak Canyon Road.
City Clerk Anna Sauseda explained that the San Bernardino County Registrar of Voters verified the referendum petition earlier this month and issued a certificate of sufficiency.
“Once the certification is received, the Council has two options under state law,” Sauseda said. “You can repeal the action in its entirety or submit it to the voters for consideration.”
She presented three potential election dates: April 14, 2026, as a standalone special election; June 2, 2026, as part of the consolidated statewide primary; or Nov. 3, 2026, during the general election.
The estimated cost for a consolidated election on June 2 would be about $124,000, while a standalone election in April is estimated at roughly $547,000, according to the city.
Council Member Bob Miller said the city should “let the voters decide,” adding that a consolidated election would save money and bring broader participation.
“This is the right thing to do,” Miller said. “It gives everyone the chance to have their say, and it’s the most responsible option financially.”
Council Member Judy Woolsey seconded Miller’s motion, which passed 3–1.
Mayor Pro Tem Chris Venable cast the dissenting vote, arguing that the city should repeal the resolution and revisit the plan with community input.
“We can avoid spending taxpayer dollars on an election by sitting down with the property owners, residents, and staff to work out a new solution,” Venable said. “This doesn’t have to be adversarial.”
During public comment, several residents urged the council to proceed with the June date, saying voters—not developers or politicians—should decide the future of the corridor.
"Yucaipa Neighbors Opposing Warehouses and supporters, have collected an astonishing amount of signatures from voters that compels this city council to allow Yucaipa citizens the right to vote on the updated version of the Freeway Corridor Plan, said one speaker. "To do anything less would mock the will of the people and sacrifice meaningful representation."
Another resident near Live Oak Canyon brought up concerns over truck traffic in the surrounding communities. "There is a lot of community concern, and I do believe that the community should be able to speak and vote on it."
“At the end of the day, the residents of this town get to decide, and I think that's probably fair and just,” said developer Dan Floriani. “We’re fully supportive of that. I do think it makes the most sense if it goes to the June election and not wait until November, which is over a year from now.”
The council also adopted Resolution 2025-57 formally accepting the certification. The council is expected to vote on a second referendum on the same project in the coming weeks.
Once accepted, city staff will coordinate with the county Registrar of Voters to place the referendums on the June 2, 2026, statewide primary ballot.
If voters uphold the plan, the 2025 Freeway Corridor Specific Plan and related zoning changes would take effect. If voters reject it, the city would revert to its 2008 corridor plan.
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