Commission approves diesel‑lane expansion at Redlands Boulevard service station

The Planning Commission approved a conditional use permit amendment to expand the existing service station at 171 West Redlands Boulevard to add diesel fueling lanes and trailer fueling capacity.

Staff summarized the project as a revision of an earlier 2021 approval that had subdivided the site and allowed two drive‑thru pads; the applicant instead proposed to remove the two planned restaurant pads and reconfigure the southern portion of the site to serve larger vehicles, including tractor‑trailers. The revised design adds three diesel fueling lanes, six parking stalls in the southern portion sized to accommodate larger vehicles and a fueling canopy matching the existing passenger fuel canopy.

Planning staff said traffic engineering reviewed the change and found the revised project would generate roughly 2,100 fewer daily trips than the prior plan with the restaurants, including nearly 100 fewer AM peak hour trips and roughly 75 fewer PM peak hour trips. Staff recommended approval, finding the project exempt under CEQA §15332 (infill development).

Michael Carter, representing the applicant, answered commissioner questions about landscaping near high‑voltage power lines and paving impacts from increased heavy truck traffic. Commissioners asked staff to ensure Public Works evaluates pavement depth and off‑site improvements where diesel trucks will load and exit; staff agreed to forward those concerns to Public Works for conditions during engineering plan check.

Commissioners adopted Resolution 2025‑018 and approved Conditional Use Permit 24‑21. The motion passed unanimously. Staff noted that required off‑site improvements and any pavement or sidewalk work will be addressed in engineering plan check and that landscape species will follow the previously approved plant palette.