Fontana planning commission approves two-building Hilton Commerce industrial project

The Fontana Planning Commission on March 17 voted 5-0 to approve master case MCN 18-000053, tentative parcel map 18-00005 and design review 18-000010 for the Hilton Commerce facility, a two-building industrial development on a roughly 3.97-acre site north of Hilton Drive between Redwood Avenue and Hemlock Avenue.

Staff planner Salvador Quintanilla told the commission the proposal would split the existing parcel into two lots (approximately 2.29 acres and 1.69 acres) and add two buildings of 41,218 square feet and 30,767 square feet, for a total of about 71,985 square feet. Quintanilla said the site is surrounded by industrial development and described vehicle circulation: “The trucks will be entering off the westerly driveway and will circle around the property and exit down to the easterly driveway. Passenger vehicles will use the easterly driveway to go in and out of that project site.”

Quintanilla also told commissioners staff received a written comment arguing the project's categorical CEQA exemption was inadequate; staff disagreed and recommended adoption of Resolution PC 2026-006 to find the project exempt under CEQA Guidelines §15332 (infill development) and to direct staff to file a notice of exemption.

Developer representative Doug McCann, speaking for Hilton Lane LLC, said the team had reviewed and accepted the proposed conditions of approval. “We have read the conditions of approval and we accept them as written,” McCann told the commission. He introduced George McCann and the project architect Carl Vanderhoek and said the applicant is actively marketing the site through broker Randy Lockhart of Newmark but currently has no tenants under lease.

Commissioners asked whether Parcel 2 (the rear parcel) will have guaranteed access if sold; Quintanilla confirmed the parcel map includes a recorded reciprocal access agreement and that engineering conditions require recording the agreement. Commissioners also asked about traffic movements and were told large trucks will enter on the west side and exit on the east side while passenger vehicles will use the east driveway.

With no public speakers on the item, Vice Chair Quintana moved approval, the motion was seconded, and the commission voted unanimously 5-0. Staff will proceed with the required filing of a CEQA notice of exemption and processing of the parcel map and design review under the conditions adopted by the commission.

The commission’s action approves the entitlements required for the project; any subsequent permits, building permits, tenant improvements or occupancy will need to follow applicable permits and conditions imposed during entitlement.