Planning staff briefs commission on major Redlands development projects, EIR schedule for Kaiser expansion

Brian Foote, senior planner, briefed the Redlands Planning Commission on Sept. 23 about several major development projects recently completed, under construction or in permitting review across the city.

Foote described the recently completed adaptive reuse of the former packing house into the Redlands Public Market near the train depot, conversion of a former copy center into a Citibank branch, and new restaurant and retail buildings near the depot. He said the packing house rehabilitation was seismically retrofitted, includes new storefronts and exterior seating boardwalks, and retains some historic elements reintroduced into the renovation.

Foote said the Bergamot specific plan (marketed as Live Oak by Meritage Homes) is roughly 80 percent complete north of Citrus Valley High School and that the large, 12‑acre park in the neighborhood appears near completion and may soon be conveyed to the city. He also updated the commission on the Liberty Lane Apartments project, describing it as an approximately 80‑unit development, funded and operated by the County Housing Authority for low‑income families, veterans and related program participants.

Foote said staff is reviewing a proposal for a roughly four‑story hotel of about 80–88 rooms behind the In‑N‑Out on Lagonja Avenue, and a proposed shopping center at the northeast corner of Lagonja and Tennessee that would include a grocery anchor and multiple outbuildings for retail and restaurants. He said the shopping center is currently undergoing environmental review and will likely arrive before the commission in early 2026.

On larger, long‑range proposals Foote reviewed a recent submittal called the Pioneer Park specific plan in the Citrus Valley High School area, which he estimated at roughly 200–300 units and described as a medium‑density mix of detached single‑family, townhomes and courtyard homes. Foote also described a multi‑phase proposal from Kaiser to expand medical office facilities along California Street, calling the project a multi‑decade, phased build‑out that could include two new medical office buildings, an ambulatory surgery center, a parking structure, supporting utility facilities and a hospital tower up to seven stories in later phases.

"Our goal is to get that out soon, hopefully by October, no later than November," Foote said of the administrative draft environmental impact report for the Kaiser project; staff said the draft EIR circulation would be followed by public review and an anticipated commission hearing in the first quarter of next year.

Foote closed by pointing commissioners to the city’s planning division web page for a fuller list of current applications and said staff would return with additional items, including a draft Accessory Dwelling Unit ordinance and further discussion of a warehouse ordinance at an upcoming meeting.

Clarifying details included: the Bergamot (Live Oak) specific plan is approximately 80 percent complete; the Bergamot park is about 12 acres and appears largely finished though not yet open to the public; Liberty Lane Apartments comprises roughly 80 units intended for low‑income households and veterans; the proposed hotel is approximately 80–88 rooms; the Pioneer Park submittal is near 200–300 units and would require street relocation work; and the Kaiser expansion will be reviewed through an administrative draft EIR planned for circulation by October/November with a commission hearing targeted for the first quarter of next year.