San Bernardino DRC forwards four development projects to Planning Commission, flags utility and permitting issues

The Development and Environmental Review Committee of the City of San Bernardino voted to forward four development applications to the Planning Commission for consideration at the commission’s April 8 meeting.

The items referred were: a conditional-use request for a small drive‑through restaurant (item 2); an additional use permit for a Wendy’s drive‑through at 280 East Hospitality Lane (item 3); a modification to an approved application to add diesel fueling at a 7‑Eleven site (CUP 24‑21, item 4); and a development permit for a new 17,962‑square‑foot commercial building at 112 West 40th Street (B24‑05, item 5).

Why it matters: each item will next be considered by the Planning Commission, which can approve, deny or condition projects. Staff flagged infrastructure and permitting issues that could affect project timing or conditions of approval, including sewer conveyance, environmental control pretreatment review, missing fire submittals and power/utility coordination.

The committee’s action and key details

Votes at a glance - Item 2 (conditional use permit, drive‑through restaurant, approx. 950 sq ft on ~2.48 acres): Motion to move to Planning Commission for the April 8, 2025, hearing; approved by the committee. (Agenda item 2; exact permit number not specified in the DRC transcript.) - Item 3 (Additional Use Permit 24‑15 — Wendy’s drive‑through, approx. 2,280 sq ft at 280 East Hospitality Lane): Motion to move to Planning Commission for April 8, 2025; approved by the committee. Staff noted the project is categorically exempt under CEQA §15303. (Agenda item 3; Additional Use Permit 24‑15.) - Item 4 (CUP 24‑21 — 7‑Eleven modification to add diesel fueling): Motion to move to Planning Commission for April 8, 2025; approved by the committee. Staff described the item as a modification of a previously approved application and identified outstanding fire submittal items. (Agenda item 4; CUP 24‑21.) - Item 5 (Development Permit B24‑05 — new commercial building, approx. 17,962 sq ft at 112 West 40th Street): Motion to move to Planning Commission for April 8, 2025; approved by the committee. Staff and the applicant discussed utility, grading and temporary power coordination. (Agenda item 5; B24‑05.)

Discussion highlights and staff directions - Sewer conveyance and connections: Water and wastewater staff said a sewer main extension had been installed in an adjacent parking lot but had not yet been conveyed; the applicant for item 3 has sewer and water applications but cannot be invoiced or issued connection until conveyance and documentation are completed. Robert Castro, Water Department Environmental Control, and other water‑department staff discussed coordination with the hotel project that installed the main.

- Pretreatment and environmental control reviews: Environmental control staff advised that separate pretreatment plan‑check review is required for projects with food service or potential wastewater pretreatment needs; applicants were told to submit to environmental control in addition to planning and building plan checks.

- Fire submittals and building review: For the 7‑Eleven modification (CUP 24‑21), staff noted a missing fire submittal. Building and safety staff asked applicants to confirm outstanding conditions before planning commission review.

- Street moratorium and pavement cuts: Engineering staff said Commerce Center East recently received capital improvement funding and will be under a five‑year moratorium, which imposes requirements if a new cut into that street is proposed. Alternate sewer connection options were discussed.

- Power and timing concerns at 112 West 40th Street: The applicant for item 5 described reliance on Southern California Edison service work that can be slow and said delays could jeopardize a lease; building staff said the city typically will not issue temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) for temporary/above‑ground power alone and that sign‑off could require demonstration that Edison work is in the pipeline and bonds may be held until undergrounding is complete.

Public comment and other process notes - No members of the public spoke on matters not on the agenda during the public comment period. - Committee approval to forward each item was made by motion and second and recorded in the meeting transcript as approved with no nays; the transcript did not record individual vote counts or the names of the mover and seconder for each motion.

Next steps Each project will appear on the Planning Commission agenda tentatively set for April 8, 2025, where commissioners can take final action or add conditions. The Development and Environmental Review Committee’s next scheduled meeting was announced for March 25 at 10 a.m.