Planning Commission backs development agreement that pairs 10.7‑acre park dedication with a 221,815‑sq‑ft industrial building amid neighborhood protests

The South El Monte Planning Commission voted to recommend City Council approval of a development agreement between the city and Magellan Value Partners that would dedicate 10.7 acres of a roughly 21.18‑acre site for a future public park while permitting a 221,815‑square‑foot industrial building on the remaining parcel.

Staff described the project as a split of the site into roughly two parcels — about 10.5 acres for the industrial building and 10.7 acres to be donated to the city for park development — and said the park parcel would include two soccer fields, a softball field, a snack bar and walking trails. Staff also said the project includes public improvements along Lexington‑Gallatin Road, a required perimeter wall, on‑site parking intended to prevent queuing onto city streets, and a no‑idling condition for heavy vehicles. The staff report noted the property lies in an area affected by a U.S. Army Corps reservoir flowage easement and that earlier Planning Commission actions recommended certification of an Environmental Impact Report and associated findings.

Residents who live nearest the site addressed the commission during an extended public comment period, urging the commission to slow the process and provide more notice. "There has been very little to no communication with the residents regarding the proposed project being considered for our area," resident Carmen Pena said, asking for copies of technical studies and clearer outreach. Marissa Pena, who described herself as a founding family of the community, pressed the commission to reject the warehouse element, saying: "This warehouse will sit directly adjacent to our homes." She cited air‑quality, traffic and noise impacts and said the EIR described greenhouse gas effects as significant.

The developer's representative, Rick Martinez, said the project team had included mitigation measures in design and operations. "The entire building is gonna be solar powered," Martinez told the commission, and he said the site plan includes on‑site electric vehicle chargers and building setbacks that staff said place loading doors roughly 150–200 feet from the public right‑of‑way to reduce queuing impacts.

Commissioners asked staff to make technical materials available to residents; staff confirmed environmental and traffic studies are in the project packet and offered to provide copies to those who request them. The Planning Commission then adopted a resolution recommending City Council approval of the development agreement (Res. 26‑07 / Development Agreement 26‑01) by recorded vote and closed the public hearing. The Commission's recommendation will be forwarded to City Council, which has final authority on the general plan amendment, zone change and EIR certification.

Next steps: City staff said the full project (general plan amendment, zone change, tentative parcel map and associated permits) will proceed to City Council for review and final action; the date for the Council hearing was noted as an upcoming item (staff indicated a May date in the staff presentation).