Planning Commission confirms draft capital improvement program; commissioners debate Pendleton low-water crossing and major interchange funding

The Yucaipa Planning Commission on May 21 reviewed the draft capital improvement program (CIP) that staff included in the city’s draft budget and confirmed it conforms with the City’s General Plan and applicable specific plans. Commissioners then recommended that council adopt the findings; at the meeting the commission approved the findings with one recorded opposition on the voice vote.

Staff presentation: scope, funding mix, and new projects Planning staff and Assistant City Engineer Landon Kern presented a high-level overview of the CIP, describing it as a multi-year plan of city infrastructure and public-facilities investments. The draft program covers roughly $193 million in investment over a 20-year horizon; staff said about 47% of program funding over that period comes from federal or state grants and interagency partnerships, with other dedicated revenue streams and restricted funds making up the balance. Staff noted the general fund comprises a small portion of CIP financing.

Staff walked commissioners through CIP categories and sample projects: the Pavement Management Program (PNP) with about $3.7 million budgeted in the coming fiscal year for resurfacing and sidewalk work; drainage projects tied to fire- and storm-event recovery; traffic and intersection projects (for example County Line Road corridor and long-range interchange planning); public facilities projects including completion of a relocated public works yard; park projects and a CDBG-funded Community Park ADA trail improvement to convert decomposed granite (DG) trails to concrete for accessibility; low-water–crossing replacements (funded largely through Caltrans and the federal Highway Bridge Program); and a public-safety fund project to purchase a fire truck.

Staff highlighted three new projects for the budget cycle: Community Park ADA trail improvements (funded by Community Development Block Grant funds), reconstruction/design work for Oakland Road damaged after ‘‘Tropical Storm Hillary’’ (emergency grant funding to begin design of roadway shoulder and potential main-line reconstruction), and a grant-funded retro-reflective tape retrofit on existing traffic signals that meets a new Caltrans nighttime-visibility standard.

County Line Road and interagency utility coordination Commissioners and staff discussed County Line Road extensively. Staff reported Calimesa is completing utility and intersection work in partnership with Yucaipa; South Mesa Water Company has been replacing waterlines and the San Gorgonio Pass Water Agency plans to use an existing line for groundwater recharge. Staff said construction and final pavement rehabilitation under the city’s pavement program will be timed to avoid new utility cuts; pending utility work is expected to finish in the fall, after which the city plans to put the pavement-rehab project out to bid.

Wildwood Canyon Road interchange, timing and funding Commissioners asked about the long-planned Wildwood Canyon Road/I-10 interchange. Staff said the project is farther along in planning and environmental review than the County Line interchange and that a draft environmental document is scheduled for circulation later this year. Staff said modeling horizons used by Caltrans project significant traffic changes by 2030 and 2050 but cautioned that final construction timing depends on securing substantial federal and state grant funding; the interchange remains a multi-decade effort with phased design and funding needs.

Pendleton low-water crossing debate Several commissioners debated the Pendleton low-water crossing project. Staff said Pendleton is in the CIP and that Caltrans’ environmental and funding review indicates a larger scope and a reduced funding percentage than typical because of fill and other site constraints. One commissioner recommended abandoning the Pendleton connection, turning it into a cul-de-sac, and gating access as a cost-saving measure given limited expected traffic benefits; another commissioner and staff said the route contributes an additional egress option for emergency evacuations and that a lower-scale project or targeted grant might address near-term safety concerns. Staff said that any change to remove the street from the circulation map would require a General Plan amendment and council action and that council remains the appropriate body to weigh reprioritization, funding gaps and alternative designs. Staff also said a smaller-scale fire/ drainage grant application is pending and could fund limited improvements to address immediate safety and drainage issues.

Action and next steps After discussion, the commission moved to “adopt the findings as contained in the agenda report for the draft seven-year CIP program.” The motion carried by voice vote with one commissioner recorded as opposed. Staff said the draft CIP adopted with the budget will be incorporated into the city’s digital budget book and that adjustments to the CIP later in the fiscal year—such as adding new grants or reprioritizing projects—would return to council for formal amendment.

Key documents, funding programs and next dates Staff referenced the City of Yucaipa General Plan, the freeway corridor specific plan, federal Highway Bridge Program funding, CDBG funding for the Community Park ADA trail improvements, and MSRC and LPP grant sources used on County Line Road phases. Staff said the draft CIP was included with the draft budget the council approved for release on May 12 and that the Planning Commission’s role is to confirm conformance with the General Plan prior to council adoption. The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for June 18; staff indicated they will return to council on Pendleton if and when design or funding options change.