For the Economic Development Committee [May 29, 2024]
TO: Honorable Economic Development Committee Members
FROM: Colby Cataldi, Community Development Director
Title
Carson Companies - Pepper 210 Commerce Center
Body
DISCUSSION:
Carson Companies proposes to redevelop the Vulcan Materials Company San Bernardino Asphalt Plant site located on the north side of Highland Avenue between River Ranch Parkway and Pepper Avenue with one (1) new industrial warehouse building. The project site is approximately 100.7 acres in size and is within the jurisdiction of the County of San Bernardino. The proposed project is located in the City’s Spere of Influence and is physically directly adjacent to Rialto communities between Riverside Ave and Pepper Ave, north of the 210 freeway.
Features of the proposed development include:
• 1,300,000+ square foot industrial warehouse building
• 275 dock doors
• Landscaping
The applicant circulated a Notice of Preparation for a project Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in January 2023 and held a scoping/presentation meet at the Cinemark theater in the Renaissance Marketplace on January 30, 2023. The EIR and supporting technical studies are currently being prepared and the public hearings for entitlements at the County is anticipated approximately around December 2025.
Steps City staff has undertaken include:
1. Carson Company / City Meeting Spring 2023: Arron Brown and Colby Cataldi met with the Carson Company to discuss their project design, scope and potential annexation.
2. EDC: September 2023 developer gave a presentation to introduce their project and obtain feedback.
3. City/County Executive Office Meeting with CEO: Arron Brown and Colby Cataldi met with the CEO to discuss the City’s desire to enter into pre-annexation and development agreements with the Carson Company and County.
4. Lennar Residential Communities Fall/Winter 2023 Discussion: Staff met with Lennar in a regular monthly project status meeting and discussed the potential Carson Company industrial project coming forward on the Vulcan Aggregate site in County jurisdiction immediately easterly adjacent to the Lennar master planned community.
5. LAFCO: City staff met with LAFCO staff in May 2024 to update them on Carson project and the City’s desire to annex the project site.
6. City Staff and County Land Use Department Staff Meet for a Carson Company Project Update: In May 2024, staff spoke with County Land Use Department staff to obtain a full project status update, as well as, discuss the annexation process and joining the developer and County on development agreement negotiations.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the EDC discuss and provide any comments.
Attachments:
1. Carson Companies Pepper 210 Commerce Center - September 2023 EDC Presentation