County Grant Fuels Community Monitoring Summit on Truck Route Planning

The Riverside County Planning Commission held a regular meeting on September 3, 2025, where key discussions centered around community engagement and infrastructure planning for upcoming projects. The meeting featured public comments that highlighted local concerns regarding educational outcomes and infrastructure needs.

Commissioner Sanchez emphasized the importance of robust community outreach and a thorough discussion of infrastructure as the commission prepares to move forward with the Stone Ridge Commerce Center project in Nuevo. While there was a general acknowledgment of the project's potential, Sanchez noted that the commission is not yet in full support, indicating a need for further evaluation.

Public speaker Tanya Gonzales, representing District 5, raised significant concerns about the educational landscape in Riverside County. She pointed out that District 5 has the lowest testing scores and graduation rates in the county, which she believes could be negatively impacted by the proposed project. Gonzales stressed the importance of improving educational outcomes to attract higher-paying jobs and enhance the overall quality of life in the region.

Another speaker, Mike McCarthy, shared positive news about a recent grant awarded to RNL for community monitoring related to environmental justice. He invited the commission to participate in an upcoming Truck Route Summit on November 7, aimed at discussing best practices for municipal truck routes to minimize the impact of commercial vehicles on local communities.

The meeting concluded without a planning director's report, and the commissioners expressed their commitment to addressing the community's concerns as they move forward with planning initiatives. The discussions underscored the need for a balanced approach that considers both economic development and the educational needs of the community.