Residents urge Colton Joint Unified board to oppose Bloomington Business Park, citing air quality and safety concerns

Dozens of Bloomington residents used the district’s public-comment period to urge the Colton Joint Unified School District board to oppose the proposed Bloomington Business Park and to resist relocating Zimmerman Elementary near heavy truck traffic.

"We're here to ask you all to stand with the students and families of your district and oppose the Bloomington Business Park," said a speaker from the People's Collective for Environmental Justice. Several residents described worsening traffic, unsafe crossings and health concerns for children who already live with asthma and frequent truck exposures.

Speakers recounted personal and neighborhood examples. "I have kids that I take them to school... I'm always stuck in between trucks," one Bloomington parent said, describing daily drop-off delays and safety worries. A former student and current university researcher said a friend had been struck while biking to Bloomington High School and argued the warehouse cluster would increase risks for students who walk or bike.

Community members asked the board to make a public, district-level statement opposing the project and to hold meetings in Bloomington so residents can weigh in locally. Several asked the district to use environmental review tools already employed previously: "No other agency has submitted more comment letters and studies challenging the environmental impact of this project than this school district," a board member later observed in public comments reflecting the district’s prior engagement.

Board president Bertha Flores thanked speakers and clarified that district protocol at public meetings is to listen during comment periods rather than respond on the spot. Speakers asked for more transparency about negotiations and for the district to leverage influence with the county planning commission and board of supervisors.