Commission approves Mead Valley warehouse project after staff recommends mitigated negative declaration

Riverside County Planning Commission on June 25 tentatively approved a General Plan Amendment (FCGPA), Change of Zone and Plot Plan for a proposed 185,912-square-foot non-refrigerated warehouse and distribution center on two parcels totaling about 9.62 acres at the southeastern corner of Placentia Avenue and Tobacco Road in the Mead Valley area.

Krista Mason, project planner, told commissioners the proposal requests a foundation-component general plan amendment and a change of zone from rural residential (1-acre minimum) to industrial park to align with adjacent industrial uses. The project calls for a 185,912-square-foot building with 23 dock doors, two offices with 4,500 square feet each, 126 parking spaces and 33 truck-trailer stalls. The site includes an existing single-family residence that the applicant said will be removed. The applicant and staff said building heights would range to roughly 41 to 47 feet and that 16% of the site would be landscaped.

Staff summarized public outreach: the project was noticed on-site and within 1,000 feet, advertised in the Press-Enterprise, and staff received both opposition and support letters; staff reported approximately 40 letters of support and some opposition that raised concerns about environmental mitigation and broader land-use changes in the area. Staff recommended adoption of a Mitigated Negative Declaration, tentative approval of the general plan amendment and change of zone, and approval of the plot plan, pending final board action to adopt a related resolution.

Stefan Wandel, executive director of the Ordon Company, presented for the applicant and described coordinated off-site infrastructure work with neighboring developments including sewer and water lines, storm drains and a multi-purpose trail along Placentia Avenue. Wandel said the developer expects approximately 150 construction jobs and 100–150 permanent jobs and noted the project would contribute roughly $1 million in development impact fees and about $175,000 per year to the Air Quality Management District if approved. He said truck circulation was designed to route most truck movements eastward, toward the I-215, and that left turns at certain intersections would be restricted to minimize truck impacts to residences.

The hearing included six in-person public speakers. Opposition remarks came from Debbie Walsh of the Rural Association of Mead Valley, who raised concerns about cumulative warehouse development across roughly 1,100 acres, traffic on two-lane roads such as Calcutta Road, and environmental impacts on adjacent habitat and research areas. Supporters included union representatives from LiUNA (Jose Garcia and Evan McCray), who emphasized jobs and community investment; nearby property owners (Robin Flores, Vianney Cepeda) who said they consider the site suitable for industrial use given its proximity to freeway interchanges; and a local realtor (Larry Robillard) who said immediate neighbors were supportive.

Commission discussion referenced the project’s shared infrastructure commitments, the proposed trail connection to Harvill, and the Good Neighbor policy measures the project incorporated. Commissioners asked about hours of operation; staff said there were no specific hours because no tenant is yet identified. After public comment and commissioner discussion, a commissioner moved to approve the project per staff recommendations; another seconded and the commission voted to approve the mitigated negative declaration and tentatively approve the general plan amendment, change of zone and plot plan, forwarding the matter for final action by the Board of Supervisors as required.

At the hearing staff noted coordination with the Wellness Village adjacent to the east and described landscaping, lighting controls, and left-turn restrictions intended to reduce impacts to surrounding residences. The commission’s action advances the project to the next formal steps in county processing and to the Board of Supervisors for final resolution adoption.