Perris council approves Harvest Landing with housing, park and penalties for unmet retail commitments

The Perris City Council voted 5–0 on April 14 to approve the Harvest Landing development, a mixed-use project that includes commercial space, a FedEx parcel‑hub component, and a housing phase that council leaders said they secured as a priority during recent negotiations. Councilmember Nava voted no during the roll call on the motion; the approval was recorded as Vallejo, Corona, Raab and Mayor Michael Vargas voting yes.

Supporters — including trade unions and business groups — told the council the project would create hundreds of construction and long‑term jobs and bring retailers and infrastructure investment. David Moore of Laborers International urged the council to support ‘‘responsible developers that use union workers’’ so ‘‘families can pay their mortgages and support local businesses.’’ Rita Rogers, speaking in favor, highlighted pledges of union jobs, retail and potential tax revenues.

Opponents and student speakers said they were concerned about truck traffic, air quality and enforcement. Multiple speakers called for stronger enforcement of local truck‑traffic and environmental protections and for guarantees that jobs would remain local and not be lost to automation.

City staff and the developer described changes made since the prior reading and emphasized community benefits negotiated with the city. Staff said housing is permitted by right in the phase‑1 Mixed‑Use Business Unit (68 acres), with roughly 615 units possible in that phase. The developer agreed to an additional $2 million contribution within 90 days to seed a first‑time homebuyer down‑payment program administered by the city and a $5 million commitment toward a future aquatic center, both negotiated since the last hearing. Staff also said the development agreement includes covenants at least temporarily limiting future warehouse uses on the northern 40 acres and financial penalties and occupancy triggers tied to the commercial component: the developer must construct about 326,000 square feet of commercial space concurrent with the FedEx facility and keep at least 194,000 square feet occupied and operational; if occupancy targets are not met, the developer could owe up to $15 million, and there are monthly penalties thereafter.

Council discussion focused on balancing the long‑term commercial and retail benefits the council majority said the project would bring against the environmental and traffic impacts cited by residents. Mayor Pro Tem Malcolm Corona said the city had secured ‘‘by far the most community benefits for any project in the history of our city,’’ while Councilwoman Nava and other speakers urged clear oversight and stronger, enforceable obligations rather than promises.

The council’s approval includes explicit implementation conditions and reporting requirements in the development agreement. The council also asked staff to return with updates on occupancy and progress at a future meeting. The measure passed on the motion recorded by the clerk as approved. The council did not vote on each individual covenant in open roll call beyond the final approval recorded at the meeting.

The council’s decision follows extensive public testimony in which union representatives, business‑group leaders and residents alternately supported and opposed the project. The item will be monitored by staff for compliance with the development agreement provisions and the occupancy/penalty triggers described at the hearing.