Council introduces ordinance to extend Bircher Logistics Center entitlements, secures community benefit payments

The Calimesa City Council on July 21 held a first reading and introduced Ordinance 4‑14 to approve Development Agreement DA 25‑03 between the City and QR Bircher Oak Valley Owner LLC, extending the life of previously granted entitlements for a roughly 115‑acre logistics/industrial site at Oak Valley Town Center.

City staff explained the project was previously entitled (general plan and specific plan amendments and other approvals) in 2022 but those entitlements are set to expire on Sept. 6, 2025. Staff said the development agreement before the council would extend the timeline for construction while securing public benefits and implementation commitments that otherwise would not be guaranteed if the current entitlements lapsed.

Key terms described by staff include: an immediate payment of $200,000 to the city within 30 days of the agreement’s effective date; optional extension fees of $100,000 for each of two available two‑year extensions beyond the initial seven‑year term; and a per‑square‑foot community benefit payment of $0.50 on industrial building area, which could generate up to $1.1 million if the entire project is constructed. Staff also described a graduated sales‑tax offset that allows the developer to offset part of the community benefit payment if a building generates point‑of‑sale sales tax in Calimesa within the first five years; the offset cap declines if extensions are exercised (75% cap for first extension exercised; 50% cap if the second extension is used).

Staff emphasized the agreement does not change the previously approved land uses, building sizes or traffic assumptions and therefore concluded no new CEQA review was required; the Planning Commission recommended approval on June 23. Staff also said certain infrastructure contributions are subject to resolution of the city’s ongoing litigation with Everest Reinsurance over performance bonds posted by the prior master developer.

Russell Pierce, representing the applicant, thanked staff and said the agreement enables the project to move forward after the prior master developer entered liquidation and stalled the town center infrastructure.

A member of the public raised health and air‑quality concerns (diesel particulate emissions near sensitive receptors and trailer storage operations) and asked the council not to approve the extension without additional environmental analysis. Staff and the applicant said the 2022 environmental review examined cumulative impacts and that the proposed agreement does not change project scope.

Councilmember Garcia recused from this item because of the proximity of his residence to the project area; the council then voted 4–0 on the introduction of Ordinance 4‑14 (first reading). Council instructed staff to bring the ordinance back for second reading and adoption at the next meeting. Councilmember comments noted that if entitlements expired the site’s underlying business‑park zoning would remain and similar industrial uses could be proposed absent the negotiated community benefits.