Commission reports Lagonia Avenue parcel would conform to general plan after land‑use amendment

At its July 23 meeting the Redlands Planning Commission received a staff report on planned acquisition of a vacant parcel at the southeast corner of West Lagonia Avenue and California Street and determined the proposed acquisition would be in conformance with the Redlands General Plan after a future amendment of the land‑use designation to public institutional.

Staffer Brian Foote told the commission the site is currently designated agriculture—a legacy of prior orange‑grove use—and is vacant and unimproved. Foote said the City of Redlands Facilities and Community Services Department is interested in the property for a future public facility, likely a fire station, but that any construction would require amending the general plan land‑use designation prior to building.

Vice Chair Hensley asked whether the city council had communicated how it hoped the commission would vote; staff said no and reiterated that the commission’s report would go to council before any acquisition decision. Commissioner Wells moved that the commission report the assessor’s parcel number 0292401010000 would be in conformity with the general plan once the land‑use designation is amended to public institutional; Commissioner Gonzales seconded and the motion carried unanimously.

The item was presented as a report on general plan conformity; a subsequent council action and formal amendment would be required before the city may construct a public facility on the parcel.