San Bernardino DERC forwards paper-pulping facility, Jack in the Box remodel and approves warehouse permit extension

The San Bernardino Development and Environmental Review Committee met April 23 and moved three development items forward: it recommended two conditional-use permit applications for Planning Commission review and approved a one-year extension for a previously approved industrial warehouse permit.

The committee recommended that a conditional-use permit to operate a paper pulping facility at 308 South Mountain View Avenue be forwarded to the Planning Commission for consideration on May 13. Staff described the proposal as the establishment of a pulping operation within an existing 12,500-square-foot commercial building on a 1.15-acre parcel in the Commercial Heavy zoning designation and said the project is exempt from further environmental review as an existing facilities exemption under the California Environmental Quality Act. An applicant identified as John was present; the committee voted to move the item to the Planning Commission.

Also forwarded to the Planning Commission on May 13 was a conditional-use permit to remodel a Jack in the Box restaurant at 303 East Baseline Street. Staff said the project would remodel the existing restaurant, add a double drive-through lane, upgrade the facade, make site and landscaping improvements and reduce the building footprint. Staff determined the project is exempt under CEQA section 15303 (new construction or conversion of small structures). The applicant (identified in the meeting as Fisher) told the committee the project’s conditions of approval looked acceptable; the committee voted to forward the item.

Separately, the committee approved a one-year extension of time for Development Permit D22-11. That permit covers demolition of an existing industrial building of about 104,088 square feet and the construction of a new industrial warehouse of approximately 126,000 square feet on a 5.8-acre parcel at 1393 East San Bernardino Avenue in the Industrial Heavy zone. Staff recommended the committee adopt a resolution approving Extension of Time 25-01 and find the project categorically exempt under CEQA section 15302 (replacement or reconstruction). Committee members voted to approve the extension and adopt the recommended resolution; the resolution number was recorded verbally during the meeting in an unclear form and is not specified in the record.

Votes at a glance - Conditional Use Permit 204-12 (308 South Mountain View Ave.) — Recommendation: forwarded to Planning Commission (May 13); outcome: motion passed. - Conditional Use Permit 241-19 (303 East Baseline St., Jack in the Box remodel) — Recommendation: forwarded to Planning Commission (May 13); outcome: motion passed. Applicant indicated agreement with conditions. - Extension of Time 25-01 (D22-11; 1393 East San Bernardino Ave., industrial warehouse) — Action: adopt resolution approving one-year extension; outcome: motion passed. Resolution number not specified in the transcript.

The meeting record shows limited public discussion on these items; each action received a motion, a second and an affirmative vote without recorded roll-call tallies. The committee adjourned and scheduled its next regular meeting for May 14, 2025, at 10 a.m.