Planning Commission approves 42,000-square-foot Rialto-Linden warehouse with variance and glazing condition

The Rialto Planning Commission voted to approve the Rialto and Linden Industrial Warehouse Project, allowing construction of a 42,000-square-foot industrial building at the southwest corner of Rialto Avenue and Linden Avenue and granting a requested variance to reduce the street-front setback along Linden Avenue from the code-required 36 feet to 25 feet.

Planning staff said the 2.13-acre site is in the city’s light industrial land-use district and zoned General Manufacturing (M-2). Daniel, planning staff, presented the project and said the applicant is Stewart Development LLC and that the building would be occupied by NACE Holdings LLC for minor assembly and furniture distribution. Staff stated the city’s January moratorium on warehouses exempts buildings under 100,000 square feet, and therefore the 42,000-square-foot project is not subject to that moratorium.

The proposed building would be a concrete tilt-up structure with exterior articulation, a height that ranges from about 33 to 36 feet, and approximately 18.4% landscaping coverage that exceeds the 10% minimum. The plan shows a truck court able to accommodate up to three trucks and trailers, 36 passenger-vehicle parking spaces, and two driveways: a passenger-vehicle-only driveway on Rialto Avenue and a truck-access driveway on Linden Avenue. The project’s traffic study, prepared by LSA Associates, estimated up to 72 daily vehicle trips (up to 29 truck trips and up to 43 passenger-vehicle trips) and found nearby intersections would continue to operate at an acceptable level of service without additional roadway improvements.

An initial study and mitigated negative declaration (MND) were circulated for public review from Dec. 30, 2024, to Jan. 28, 2025; staff reported receiving no comment letters during that period and mailed public hearing notices to property owners within 1,000 feet. Environmental review concluded the project would be less than significant with the MND’s mitigation measures and a monitoring program.

During the public hearing, the applicant’s representative, Greg Lord of Stewart Development, said the operation would include assembly work indoors and that the applicant would prefer a point-of-sale presence in the city to capture sales tax when feasible. Commissioners questioned lighting, surveillance-camera orientation, hours of operation (applicant stated 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.), building glazing, and landscaping specifications. Daniel noted conditions that restrict pole height and require shielding of lighting to prevent light spillage onto adjacent residences and that surveillance cameras are not to be pointed at nearby homes. The commission asked the applicant to increase glazing on the east-facing elevation; commissioners made and seconded a motion to add a condition requiring additional glazing on the east side facing Linden Avenue and the motion passed.

The commission approved by motion the MND and resolutions adopting variance number 2024-0002, Conditional Development Permit number 2024-0009, and Precise Plan and Design number 2024-0017, subject to the findings and mitigation measures listed in the resolutions and the added condition directing staff to amend the resolution to require additional glazing on the east elevation.

Staff said the project is consistent with the M-2 zoning and that the reduced setback was requested to shift the building eastward to maximize the separation between the building and adjacent apartments to the north and west (staff described achieved setbacks of approximately 142 feet to the north and 84 feet to the west). The project will place passenger parking between the apartments and the building to create a buffer. Staff also noted required planting standards (minimum 24-inch-box trees every 30 linear feet along street frontages and 5-gallon shrubs) and that the applicant would coordinate final façade glazing details with staff.