For the Planning Commission Meeting of September 2, 2026
TO: Honorable Chairman and Planning Commissioners
APPROVAL: Christina Taylor, Community Development Director
REVIEWED BY: Daniel Casey, Community Development Manager
FROM: Jason Costa, Associate Planner
Title
Conditional Development Permit No. 26-0009: A request to allow the establishment and operation of an adult mental health services clubhouse and community connections program that promotes wellness, independence, and community integration within an existing 2,700 square foot commercial lease space located at 2026 N. Riverside Avenue, Unit K, within the Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) zone. This project is categorically exempt pursuant to Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Body
APPLICANT:
Pacific Clinics
800 South Santa Anita Avenue
Arcadia, CA 91006.
LOCATION:
The project site is located at 2026 N. Riverside Avenue, Unit K, within the Rancho Verde Plaza commercial center, which is located at the northwest corner of Riverside Avenue and the SR-210 Freeway (Refer to attached Location Map (Exhibit A)).
BACKGROUND:
Surrounding General Plan Land Use Designations
|
Location |
General Plan Land Use Designation |
|
Site |
Community Commercial |
|
North |
Residential 6 |
|
East |
Residential 6 |
|
South |
N/A (SR-210 Freeway) |
|
West |
Residential 6 |
Surrounding Zoning Designations
|
Location |
Zoning Designation |
|
Site |
Neighborhood Commercial (C-1) |
|
North |
Single Family Residential (R-1A) |
|
East |
Single Family Residential (R-1A) |
|
South |
N/A (SR-210 Freeway) |
|
West |
Single Family Residential (R-1A 10,000) |
Site Characteristics
The project site is an existing vacant commercial lease space in the north end of the Rancho Verde Plaza. The Rancho Verde Plaza is an existing 11.79-acre commercial center located at the northwest corner of Riverside Avenue and the SR-210 Freeway. Businesses within the Rancho Verde Plaza includePlanet Fitness, CSL Plasma, Del Taco, Carl’s Jr., AutoZone, Leslie’s Pool Supplies, and Starbucks.
Surrounding Area
To the north, east, and west of the Rancho Verde Plaza commercial center are existing single-family residential subdivisions and to the south is the SR-210 Freeway.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION:
Project Proposal
Pacific Clinics, the applicant, proposes to establish an adult mental health services clubhouse and community connections program facility within an existing 2,700 square-foot commercial lease space located at 2026 N. Riverside Avenue, Unit K. A site plan and pictures detailing the specific location are attached as Exhibit B and Exhibit C. Pacific Clinics currently has one (1) existing facility within the City of Rialto, which is located at 1501 S. Riverside Avenue. The applicant proposes to close the existing facility and relocate the facility to the project site. Pacific Clinics is a California non-profit organization that provides professional health services under contract with the San Bernardino County Department of Behavioral Health. Services focus on mental health recovery, wellness, social connection, skill development and community interaction. Specific services that will be provided at the facility include:
• Support groups (i.e., grief and loss, mental health recovery)
• Presentations (Medi-Cal benefits, psychoeducation such as Suicide Prevention, etc.)
• Workshops (resume building, sharpening interview skills, psycho education mental health topics, etc.)
• Resource navigation and community referrals to support wellness, employment, education, and personal recovery goals
• Resources include computer access, educational materials, employment resources, phone access, printing, and community information
• Daily cooking and nutrition activities that support independent living skills, wellness, and social engagement
• Shower facilities for the exclusive use of members during business hours as part of maintaining personal wellness and daily living routines
• Laundry facilities for exclusive use by members during business hours to support independent living skills and person awareness
• Other activities include individual and group peer support, wellness planning, recovery-oriented discussions, social and recreational activities, and skill building opportunities
Facility operations will be conducted as follows:
• Staffed by three (3) staff members, a supervisor, and the Director
• Staff are Certified California Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialists
• Operating hours are Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• 20 - 30 clients per day
• No overnight stays
• Clients visit by appointment or walk-in throughout the day with peak hours between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm
Tenant Improvement
Prior to establishing the facility at the project site, the applicant proposes to make alterations to the interior of the lease space to accommodate the operation and services that will be provided. According to the floor plan provided by the applicant (Exhibit D), the interior alterations include the installation of the following:
• Three (3) office rooms
• One (1) meeting room
• An open office area containing twelve (12) computer workstations
• An open breakroom area with a full kitchen for lunch and training purposes
• Two (2) restrooms - one containing a shower for member use only
• One (1) laundry room with washer and dryer units for member use only
• One (1) storage room
Safety
Pacific Clinics prepared a Crime Prevention Plan for the proposed facility at the request of the Rialto Police Department (Exhibit E). The Crime Prevention Plan addresses employee and client safety, enhanced security measures, and loitering control measures. Specific measures that will be incorporated include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Installation of security cameras that cover the entire lease space including the front and rear entrance. Integration of the cameras into the FUSUS application.
• Exterior security lighting at the front and rear of the lease space at an intensity level of one (1) foot-candle
• Installation of “No Loitering Signage” on the front exterior of the lease space
• Enrollment in the Rialto Police Department’s No Trespassing Program.
Corporal Mike Morales with the Rialto Police Department reviewed and endorsed the Crime Prevention Plan. The facility is not expected to negatively impact safety services if all measures within the Crime Prevention Plan are implemented and maintained at all times.
Land Use Compatibility
The Rancho Verde Plaza property accommodates multiple types of businesses including medical treatment, food services, retail stores, and a physical fitness center. These uses are generally compatible with Pacific Clinics’ services and operations. The proposed facility will not negatively affect any other tenant within the Rancho Verde Plaza or any nearby use provided that the applicant adheres to all Conditions of Approval and all measures included within the Crime Prevention Plan. With the approval of the Conditional Development Permit, the facility may be subject to a Planning Commission review within six (6) months from the date of approval to ensure compliance of all Conditions of Approval, and to ensure that the establishment has not become a nuisance. Thereafter, the establishment may be subject to annual review.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY:
The project is consistent with the following goal of the Economic Development Element of the Rialto General Plan:
Goal 3-15: Promote a social environment in Rialto that enhances the dignity of the individual and improves the quality of life.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT:
The project is categorically exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Section 15301, Existing Facilities (Class 1). Class 1 allows for the exemption of a project consisting of the operation, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond the existing at the time of the lead agency’s determination. The project involves the interior use of an existing building with no expansion, thereby qualifying the project for a Class 1 exemption. A completed Notice of Exemption form is attached to agenda report (Exhibit F).
PUBLIC NOTICE:
The City mailed public hearing notices for the proposed project to all property owners within 660 feet of the project site, posted public notes at the site and City Hall, and published the public hearing notice in the San Bernardino Sun newspaper as required by State law.
RECOMMENDATION:
The Planning Division recommends that the Planning Commission:
1. Adopt the attached Resolution (Exhibit G) to approve Conditional Development Permit No. 26-0009, based upon the findings and subject to the conditions therein.