City Council maintains warehouse moratorium while monitoring Kirby and Simpson projects

The Special City Council Meeting held on July 14, 2025, in Hemet, Riverside County, focused on the ongoing warehouse moratorium and its implications for local development. The meeting began with discussions surrounding the performance and potential of the Kirby and Simpson warehouse projects, which are currently under scrutiny due to a one-year moratorium on new warehouse developments.

One key point raised was the reduction of the project size by 40%, which has led to concerns about the viability of future developments. A representative clarified that the city council has the authority to deny additional projects, emphasizing that the moratorium is in place to assess the impact of existing warehouses before proceeding with new ones.

The council discussed the performance metrics of the Kirby project, which is expected to create 800 full-time jobs once fully operational within two years. This figure has remained consistent since the planning commission's discussions three years prior. The representative noted that the city is monitoring the performance of Kirby and other nearby warehouses to determine the future of the moratorium.

Concerns were also raised about local hiring practices, specifically whether residents from Hemet and San Jacinto would be prioritized over applicants from other cities, such as Temecula. The representative assured that while the city aims to support local employment, hiring decisions would ultimately depend on the qualifications of the candidates.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the city's cautious approach to warehouse development, balancing economic growth with community interests. The council plans to continue monitoring the performance of existing warehouses before making decisions on lifting the moratorium or approving new projects.