Residents ask Chino council to revisit Planning Commission approval of Orbis 'Eden' project, cite Housing Accountability Act concerns

During the public comment period the council received two extended remarks criticizing the Planning Commission’s approval of the Orbis Eden development.

Bob Nigg said the Planning Commission had “rushed” to approve the project at its May 21 hearing, argued the commission failed to perform an independent quasi‑judicial review, and claimed the city did not comply with provisions of the Housing Accountability Act (HAA). Nigg asserted that the project proposal and the city’s implementation did not meet the required low‑income unit ratios and that rounding rules were improperly applied; he urged the council to place his written complaint on the next agenda so staff could provide a full status report and explain the city’s compliance with state law.

Daniel Medrano told council he had a copy of a May 16 letter from the applicant’s counsel and argued it contradicted a staff claim that materials were provided “at the last minute” to the Planning Commission. He said quick action on a large project sets a precedent that developers could cite to request similar concessions elsewhere and implored council to reconsider the commission’s approval or ask the commission to review the matter again.

City attorney Ray Galante later noted there were statements and legal issues raised in public comment related to the Eden project; he said the appropriate time to address legal corrections or rebuttals would be during the formal appeal process, which is pending and will be the appropriate forum for staff and counsel to respond.

The council did not take immediate action on the public comments because the item was not on the agenda; speakers requested the matter be agendized for further staff explanation and possible council action.