Planning commission approves Tom Bell Chevrolet addition of nearby display lot
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Summary
The commission approved a revision to Conditional Use Permit 75 to incorporate an existing 1.61-acre vehicle display lot at 1590 Industrial Park Avenue into Tom Bell Chevrolet’s dealership permit; staff said the change requires no new construction and is exempt from CEQA under local exemptions noted in the staff report.
The Redlands Planning Commission on March 11, 2025 unanimously approved Revision No. 1 to Conditional Use Permit No. 75, allowing Tom Bell Chevrolet to formally incorporate a nearby vehicle display lot into its dealership operations.
Staff summary and findings
Planning staff presented the request to add an existing 1.61-acre vehicle display lot at 1590 Industrial Park Avenue to the dealership covered by CUP No. 75 at 800 Alabama Street. Staff said the lot historically operated as a vehicle display area since the 1960s under earlier zoning and that the current proposal does not include new construction or additional site improvements. Staff reported the site is paved and currently used for display; with the added display lot, automobile-sales parking requirements would call for approximately 59 spaces in excess of the first 10,000 square feet, while the dealership currently provides 115 spaces (40 customer and 75 staff), and it typically displays 210 to 275 new vehicles.
Staff advised that the proposal qualifies for exemptions from CEQA under local provisions cited in the staff report (sections referenced in the presentation included “section 15,301” and “section 15,332” as stated by staff), because it involves negligible expansion of an existing use and meets infill criteria. Staff recommended approval subject to conditions in the staff report.
Commission deliberations and action
Commissioner Wells moved to adopt Resolution No. 1699 approving Revision No. 1 to CUP No. 75; Commissioner Stanson seconded the motion. Commissioners noted the proposal largely formalizes an existing use; there were no public comments, no written comments and no questions about operating hours beyond those listed in the staff report. The motion passed on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.
Why it matters
The approval recognizes and formalizes the dealership’s long-standing use of the display lot and ties it administratively to the main CUP for Tom Bell Chevrolet. Staff said no further environmental review is required for this administrative consolidation under the cited local CEQA exemptions.
