The San Gabriel Planning Commission held a significant meeting on November 13, 2023, where discussions centered around the controversial Rio Rubio Village project. The project has faced scrutiny from local advocacy group SAFER, which has formally requested the city to conduct a more comprehensive Environmental Impact Report (EIR) instead of the previously approved Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND).

During the public comment period, Marjan Abubo, representing SAFER, expressed concerns about the project's potential environmental impacts, particularly regarding protected wildlife species and air quality. Abubo highlighted that the MND failed to adequately describe the existing environmental conditions and did not address the presence of legally protected bird species on the project site. The group argues that the project could significantly affect local habitats and health risks due to air quality issues, which were not sufficiently analyzed in the current documentation.

In response to these concerns, city officials and representatives from Kimley Horn, the consulting firm involved in the project, defended the MND, stating that the project has undergone extensive review since its inception in 2007. Heidi Rose, a project manager at Kimley Horn, noted that improvements in state regulations have led to cleaner construction practices, which have influenced the assessment of air quality impacts over the years.

The Planning Commission is now tasked with weighing the community's environmental concerns against the project's long history and the findings of the MND. The outcome of this discussion could have lasting implications for local wildlife and air quality, as well as set a precedent for future developments in San Gabriel.

As the commission deliberates, residents are encouraged to stay informed and engaged, as the decisions made will directly affect the community's environmental health and development landscape. The next steps will involve further discussions and potential revisions to the project based on the feedback received during this meeting.