Moreno Valley council pauses new logistics development after public outcry over MOU and truck impacts

Public criticism of the World Logistics Center and unanswered questions about a city MOU led the Moreno Valley City Council on Jan. 6 to impose a 45-day moratorium on new logistics and industrial development while staff and council review design standards and pending plan changes.

Multiple public speakers accused the city and developers (naming Highland Fairview and the World Logistics Center) of failing to deliver promised workforce-training outcomes, not providing requested public records and shifting infrastructure costs onto taxpayers. Christopher Baca and other residents said they had filed public-records requests seeking the MOU and related documents and alleged the city did not release the materials they requested. George Hague and several Northeast residents told council that areas proposed for higher-density zoning lack sewer, sidewalks and adequate evacuation routes and warned of substantial truck traffic tied to large warehouse projects.

Councilmember Bernard proposed the 45-day moratorium, citing the upcoming general-plan update and ongoing negotiations with the California Attorney General’s office; the motion was seconded and passed unanimously. City Attorney Steven Quintanilla earlier noted the council would continue several closed-session personnel items to the next meeting and that one potential litigation matter required no reportable action.

City Manager Bridal Mohan and staff explained that the city historically authorizes the city manager to execute amendments within previously approved not-to-exceed budget amounts to avoid project delays; they said larger or out-of-scope costs would return to council. Council directed staff to use the moratorium period to review development standards, confirm infrastructure obligations in existing agreements and clarify public records responsiveness.