Planning Commission backs Synergy industrial project, recommends council approve general-plan amendment and zone change

The Lancaster Planning Commission voted 5-0, with two members absent, to recommend that City Council approve a general-plan amendment and zone change to allow a Synergy industrial project on about 40 gross acres at the northwest corner of Avenue M and Division.

Staff told commissioners the recommended action is to forward approval of General Plan Amendment 24-0001 and Zone Change 24-001 and to adopt the Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration (IS/MND) and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MND No. 2025040920). "The public hearing notice was mailed to owners and occupants within a 500 foot radius and posted in compliance with the Lancaster Municipal Code," staff said during the presentation and recommended adoption of Resolution 2509.

The matter drew broad public support at the Planning Commission hearing. "Synergy was willing to go above and beyond," said Zach Trosters of CREED LA, who urged approval and said the developer had reached out to the community. Quintin Miles, Walter Flores and several other community members and labor representatives told commissioners the project would provide local jobs and opportunities for workers who need a second chance. Jessica Haughton, a consultant for Lancaster M Avenue LLC, identified herself as representing the ownership team and answered commissioners' questions about project entitlements.

Commissioners asked staff and the applicant detailed questions about conditions of approval. Commissioner Carrillo pressed staff about references to exterior electrical cabinets and switchgear, saying he had observed exterior switchgear on a different project despite a condition calling for internal installation. The city’s traffic engineer said the recommended signalized intersection on the west boundary aligns with a planned entrance for an adjacent Covington project in Palmdale and described how cost responsibility would be assigned depending on timing: if Covington does not proceed first, the Synergy applicant would be responsible for the entire cost of the intersection.

Staff also clarified design conditions including a required 14-foot meandering sidewalk along Avenue M and that rooftop equipment screening and internal mechanical rooms are required rather than exterior cabinets. The staff memorandum responding to comments is dated 06/10/2025; staff said responses did not require revisions to the IS/MND.

After public comment and discussion, the commission moved to adopt Resolution 2509 recommending City Council approval of the general-plan amendment and zone change and to recommend adoption of the IS/MND and Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program. The motion passed 5-0 with two members absent. Commissioners congratulated the applicant and expressed interest in seeing the project proceed to construction.

The matter now goes to the Lancaster City Council for final action.