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Planning commission grants Orchard Logistics one‑year extension, approves light‑standard variance
Summary
The commission approved a one‑year extension for Orchard Logisticsplot plan and variances and granted a variance to allow light standards up to 30 feet for a planned ~600,000‑square‑foot warehouse; staff said the extension is the ordinance's single allowable one‑year extension.
The Planning Commission on Dec. 11 approved a one‑year time extension and related variances for Orchard Logistics, a proposed distribution warehouse project at 745 Nicholas Road.
Carol Kendrick, planning staff, said the Orchard Logistics proposal consists of an approximately 600,000‑square‑foot warehouse on roughly 31 acres in the manufacturing zone (the former Dowling ranch). The applicant requested a one‑year extension of plot plan entitlements to allow time to complete grading permits and other permits; staff told commissioners the project's current entitlement expiration is March 2025 and the one‑year extension would move the expiration into 2026.
Staff also summarized a variance request to exceed existing light standard height limits so the project can meet lighting needs for safety and security. Kendrick said 30‑foot mounting heights are a common variance for industrial developments in the area and that the city is considering zoning code updates to reduce the need for such variances.
The commission opened the public hearing, received no public testimony and then voted to approve the one‑year extension for Plot Plan 2024‑0057 (for the benefit of earlier plot plan approvals) and to approve the requested light‑standard variance, directing staff to prepare the notice of determination with Riverside County.
Next steps: staff will prepare the required notices and the applicant will continue with permitting; the commission noted that the city ordinance permits only one one‑year extension.
