Council introduces rezoning to clear path for Inland Empire Trade Tech Center at 6464 33rd Street

The City Council introduced an ordinance to change the zoning of a roughly 24‑acre parcel at 6464 33rd Street from Manufacturing Service Commercial (MSC) to R‑3 multifamily residential, a step staff said will resolve a technical inconsistency with the city’s 2017 general plan and enable plans for the Inland Empire Trade Tech Center.

Planning staff explained that the parcel had an industrial underlying zone while the general plan designation had been changed to medium‑density residential in 2017, creating a zoning inconsistency. Staff told the council the Riverside Community College District recently closed escrow on the property and ‘‘is going to be proposing a public use permit to develop the Inland Empire Technical Trade Center.’’ The planning commission voted 4‑0 to recommend council approval earlier in 2024.

Council conducted a public hearing, had brief technical questions about entitlements and environmental review, and then voted to introduce the rezoning ordinance. Staff said the change will not require further environmental review beyond existing documentation (a previous environmental document found applicable) and that more detailed site development approvals would follow ministerial review when project plans are submitted.

Council members noted the rezoning aligns land use with the surrounding residential pattern and will support the college’s move to develop the Trade Tech facility.

The council introduced the ordinance and will consider final adoption in a later meeting.