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Ontario City Council approves development-code amendment despite union objections
Summary
The Ontario City Council voted 5-0 to adopt a development-code amendment (file PDCA-25-002) that revises Chapter 2 procedures, drawing public opposition from local union representatives who said the change would allow projects in the Convention Center Support Commercial zone to use a streamlined 'minor adjustment' process with limited public notice.
The Ontario City Council voted 5-0 on Tuesday to approve a development-code amendment (file PDCA-25-002) that revises administrative procedures in Chapter 2 of the City of Ontario development code.
The vote followed a public hearing in which union-affiliated speakers said the amendment would allow some projects in the Convention Center Support Commercial zone to use a 'minor adjustment' process that minimizes public notifications and avoids full public hearings. Andrea Romero, who identified herself as a UniteCare Local 11 member, told the council she opposed item 19 because "this process generally requires very little public notification" and could make it difficult for the public to learn about changes when public land is later sold or transferred to private developers.
Charlie Carno, a research analyst who identified his affiliation with Local 11, said the public had recently participated in a general-plan amendment and that allowing a zoning administrator to approve up to a 10% height increase through a streamlined process "should not be allowed to go through a streamlined limited process." Both speakers urged the council to remove the footnote permitting the minor-adjustment path in that zone.
Councilmembers moved and seconded the item (moved by Bowman; seconded by Perata), closed the public hearing and took an electronic vote; the ordinance passed unanimously, 5-0. The council did not adopt changes requested by the union representatives during the hearing.
The amendment’s text (file PDCA-25-002) and the staff report were placed in the public record; the staff presentation noted that affidavits of notice were on file. The council did not record any amendments or conditions on the approval during the meeting.
The action advances a technical revision to development procedures; opponents argued the change reduces public review opportunities for certain changes, particularly in the area governed by the recently adopted Ontario Regional Sports Complex regulations. The council did not provide a schedule for implementation at the meeting.
The city clerk will file the ordinance and associated documents in the public record.
