Adelanto planning commission approves 37.6-acre truck parking and logistics site with phased paving conditions

The Adelanto Planning Commission on Aug. 20 approved a proposal to convert a 37.6-acre former motorcycle park on the west side of U.S. Highway 395 into truck parking and logistics use, approving Conditional Use Permit 23-11 and Location and Development Plan 23-13 subject to conditions that add phased paving requirements, dust-control measures and Caltrans approval for highway access.

Planner Chris Espinosa told commissioners the site—bordered by Highway 395 and in the Airport Development District—was proposed to store roughly 600 vehicles and include a 600-square-foot prefabricated office for management and security. Staff prepared an initial study and recommended adoption of a mitigated negative declaration; the hearing record shows the initial study circulated for a 30-day comment period ending Dec. 2, 2024.

City staff summarized a multi-year review: staff had sought full-site paving but the applicant resisted, arguing the cost would jeopardize the project. The city manager directed staff to follow the county fire department’s access guidance; the fire department recommended paving main drive aisles and entrances with 85% compaction, while city engineering preferred 95% compaction. Commissioners and staff agreed to require a phased paving plan as a condition, with the commission identifying phase 1 as the northeast quarter between Coronado Street, Highway 395 and Race Road and including the truck turnaround.

The commission added a timing mechanism: occupancy of the site (presence of an on-site manager in the modular building) will start a two-year clock to complete the agreed paving for the phase 1 area. Planning conditions already include a requirement to obtain Caltrans approval for access (encroachment permit/turn-lane improvements) as condition 16.

Commissioners also required dust control measures and noted that certain surface materials proposed could reduce fugitive dust; staff and the environmental consultant Mark Blodgett said dust control is an air-quality district requirement. The applicant was not on the phone for much of the hearing; staff reported attempts to reach the applicant and said the applicant previously indicated they could accept engineering dedications and the paving conditions discussed.

Chair Wagner moved to adopt the mitigated negative declaration and approve Resolution 25-15 with the conditions discussed; the motion carried on a 4-0 vote as recorded by the chair. The planning department will return the final conditions and permits for administrative processing and for any required follow-up with Caltrans and engineering staff.