Council denies FC Pallets expansion after repeated code violations and on‑site fire

The Jurupa Valley City Council voted 4–0 to deny an application to legalize an expanded pallet yard at 4247 Campbell Street (APNs ending in 033 and 034).

City staff and code enforcement presented a long enforcement history for the site. The parcel at 4287 Campbell (APN ending in 032) had a county‑approved pallet yard in 2006 and was treated as legal nonconforming; since then the business had expanded onto two adjacent parcels without entitlements. Staff cited repeated violations: unpermitted structures, overstacked pallets taller than the pallet‑yard standard, pallets stacked with insufficient separation, trailers and commercial vehicles parked in the public right‑of‑way, accumulation of trash and debris, and unpermitted utilities.

Senior Planner Reynaldo Aguina and staff described code enforcement actions dating back to formal notices in 2013, follow‑up notices in 2015 and 2017, administrative citations in 2018, a March 2020 determination of nonconforming use for the 4287 parcel, and a civil complaint filed to abate a public nuisance in November 2021. Staff said the city allowed the land‑use entitlement application to proceed while litigation and enforcement were pending.

The council heard additional evidence that the site’s condition had worsened. Code enforcement returned in June 2025 and found overstacked pallet piles with minimal spacing, vehicles loading on Campbell Street and trailers encroaching into the right‑of‑way. City staff reported a fire at the site the night before the meeting; photos shown to the council documented burned structures and pallet debris.

The applicant sought multiple approvals to legalize expansion: a General Plan amendment (Business Park → Heavy Industrial), a zone change (Manufacturing Service Commercial → Manufacturing Heavy), a conditional use permit for the pallet yard, a variance to locate the pallet yard within 1,000 feet of residential uses, and a site development permit. Staff concluded several required findings could not be made: the proposed land‑use changes would be inconsistent with surrounding uses, the site presented health and safety risks and compatibility problems, and the project did not meet pallet‑yard standards (stack height, separation, fire protection and access).

Several council members noted the long history of violations and the recent fire. Councilmember Willie and others said they were sympathetic to local businesses but could not approve a change that would increase risk to neighboring residences and businesses. Mayor Bergson and Councilmember Carmona referenced multiple opportunities the applicant had to comply and said the evidence supported denial.

The council adopted a resolution denying the master application and associated entitlements. The denial preserves the city’s existing pallet‑yard regulations and maintains the required 1,000‑foot separation from residences, schools and parks. Staff said the court date connected to the city’s nuisance action was continued to allow the council to act; staff will continue to coordinate enforcement actions and the site remains subject to code‑enforcement activity and court oversight.