FROM:
Planning Department
TITLE:
Title
Master Case No. 22-000104: Tentative Parcel Map No. 22-000025 (TPM No. 20611), Design Review (DRP) No. 22-000051, reporting on the conformity of the proposed vacation of Windflower Avenue with the General Plan pursuant to Government Code Section 65402; and Final Environmental Impact Report (FEIR) for the development of an industrial warehouse building totaling approximately 398,514 square feet on approximately 18.3 acres, located between Sierra Avenue and Mango Avenue, approximately 1,300 feet south of Summit Avenue (Assessor Parcel numbers: 1119-241-10,-13,-18,-25,-26, and -27), pursuant to the Certified Environmental Impact Report (EIR) (State Clearing House No. 2023030788) and Mitigation Monitoring And Reporting Program and direct staff to file a Notice of Determination.
End
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Based on the information contained in this staff report, resolution and subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval, staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. PC 2025-_____, and:
a. Certify the FEIR, a Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program and a Statement of Facts and Findings, and direct staff to file a Notice of Determination.
2. Based on the information contained in this staff report, resolution and subject to the attached Findings and Conditions of Approval, staff recommends that the Planning Commission adopt Resolution No. PC 2025-_____, and:
a. Approve Tentative Parcel Map No. 22-000025 (TPM No. 20611); and
b. Approve Design Review No. 22-000051.
APPLICANT:
Seefried Industrial Properties Inc.
Scott Irwin
2321 Rosecrans Ave, Suite 2220
El Segundo, CA 90245
LOCATION:
The project site is located east of Sierra Avenue, west of Mango Avenue, and south of Summit Ave (Assessor Parcel Numbers: 1119-241-10, -13, -18, -25, -26, and -27).
REQUEST:
Tentative Parcel Map No. 22-000025 (TPM No. 20611) - A request to consolidate six (6) parcels and vacate Windflower Avenue comprised of approximately 18.3 acres into one parcel for the development of the project. Additionally, the proposed vacation will conform to the General Plan finding under Government Code Section 65402.
Design Review (DRP) No. 22-000051 - A request to review the architecture, site design and associated improvements for an industrial warehouse commerce center building totaling 398,514 square feet, including 5,000 square feet of office on a site comprised of approximately 18.3 acres.
PROJECT PLANNER:
Salvador Quintanilla, Senior Planner
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A. Existing Land Use Designation:
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General Plan |
Zoning/Overlay |
Existing Land Use |
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Site: |
Light Industrial (I-L) |
Light Industrial (M-1)/ Warehousing Distribution Logistics Overlay District/Fire Hazard Overlay |
Existing Industrial Uses |
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North: |
Light Industrial (I-L) |
Light Industrial (M-1)/ Warehousing Distribution Logistics Overlay District/Fire Hazard Overlay |
Existing Warehouse |
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South: |
Light Industrial (I-L) |
Light Industrial (M-1)/ Warehousing Distribution Logistics Overlay District/Fire Hazard Overlay |
Existing Warehouse |
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East: |
City of Rialto |
City of Rialto |
Land Fill |
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West: |
Residential Planned Community |
Planning Area No. 4 - Sierra Lakes Specific Plan |
Residential |
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
A. Site Area: Approximately 18.3 gross acres
B. FAR Ratio:
Building Maximum Allowed: .60
Provided: .50
C. Building Analysis:
Office/Mezzanine: 5,000 square feet
Warehouse/packing area 393,514 square feet
Total Area: 398,514 square feet
D. Landscaping
Required: 15 percent
Provided 21.5 percent
E. Parking
Required: 102 parking spaces
Provided: 142 parking spaces
ANALYSIS:
The applicant, Seefried Industrial Properties Inc., is requesting that the Planning Commission approve Tentative Parcel Map No. 22-000025 (TPM No. 20611), and Design Review (DRP) No. 22-000051 for the development of a new 398,514 square foot industrial commerce center building and associated improvements on an approximately 18.3 gross acres site located between Sierra Avenue and Mango Avenue, south of Summit Avenue.
Tentative Parcel Map No. 22-000025 (TPM No. 20611)
Tentative Parcel Map No. 20611 is a proposal to consolidate six (6) parcels and vacate Windflower Avenue comprised of approximately 18.3 acres into one parcel for the development of a 398,514 square foot industrial commerce center building. As part of the project the developer will construct all on-site and off-site improvements per the City Standards.
Currently, Windflower Ave runs through the middle of the subject property. Due to the configuration of the project and to facilitate truck traffic to Mango Avenue Windflower Avenue will be vacated.
Design Review (DRP) No. 22-000051
The development will be comprised of a 398,514 square feet industrial commerce center building that includes 5,000 square feet of office/mezzanine area, approximately 393,514 square feet of warehouse area. The warehouse building would have 54 loading docks located on the south side of the building. Project on-site improvements include parking, landscaping, and lighting.
The building facades would incorporate architectural elements (e.g., windows, pillars, wall plane breaks) to minimize stretches of blank walls. All colors and materials would consist of gray tones with a red banning’s as an accent color. Large expanses of blank walls would be broken up with expansion joints, reveals, or changes in texture and color. The proposal provides a development that has been designed with modern features to enhance the character of the surrounding neighborhood.
Grading / Walls
The subject site has a gradual slope the property and adjacent areas at a higher elevation to the north. The proposed project will slope to the south of the project site where the underground basins will capture the water. Also, any overflow will go to the storm drain system on Sierra Avenue. Decorative 14-foot-high walls will provide screening for truck courts. Additionally, an eight (8) foot high wrought iron fence will be installed on the northerly property line, an eight (8) foot high wrought iron gate and man gate will be constructed on the west and east sides of the loading docks.
Site Access / Circulation /Parking
Access to and from the Project site will be provided along Sierra Avenue with one (1) driveway in the center of the site exclusively for passenger vehicles and an EVA access point on the southerly portion of the site. Additionally, there will be two (2) driveways along Mango Avenue, one exclusively for trucks, which accommodates truck queuing and provides access to the loading dock area, and a second driveway that will be exclusively for passenger vehicles. The truck movements would occur along the southerly driveway (along Mango Avenue) and within the truck court and would be separated from passenger vehicle areas.
Fire Hazard Overlay
Since the subject parcel is within Fire Hazard Overlay a Fuel Modification Zone (FMZ) plan, showing all fuel modification areas has been provided and approved by the City’s Fire Marshall/Fontana Fire Protection District, subject to the conditions in the Fire Modification Zone plan.
Environmental:
The Draft EIR (DEIR) for the Sierra Distribution Facility Development Project (SCH No. 2023030788) was made available for the public review at the City’s website: <https://www.fontanaca.gov/2137/Environmental-Documents>.
Subsequent to the preparation and distribution of the Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (NOP), the DEIR was prepared for the project. The environmental analysis contained in the Draft EIR is based in part on specific studies and assessments undertaken for the City by qualified environmental scientists, specialists, and consultants. This analysis addresses air quality, cultural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, noise, and transportation.
These technical studies are contained in the Technical Appendices document of the Draft EIR and are made available for the public review. The Draft and Final EIR and Technical Appendices can be viewed at the following URL: <https://www.fontanaca.gov/2137/Environmental-Documents>
The Final EIR describes the environmental impacts of the project and the mitigation measures to help minimize the project impacts on the environment. The scope of this Final EIR includes analysis of minimize the project impacts on the environment. The scope of this Final EIR includes analysis of environmental issues identified and raised in response to the Initial Study/Notice of Preparation (IS/NOP) and during the DEIR comment period.
The Final EIR determined that twenty (20) of environmental effects for the project would have impacts found not to be significant. These 20 categories are Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Energy, Geology and Soils, Hazards and Hazardous Materials, Hydrology and Water Quality, Land Use and Planning, Mineral Resources, Noise, Population and Housing, Public Services, Recreation, Transportation, Tribal Cultural Resources, Utilities and Services Systems, and Wildfire. The potential impacts from the aforementioned topical areas are fully addressed in the IS/DEIR.
Alternatives
As required by CEQA, an EIR shall describe a range of reasonable alternatives to the project which meets the basic objectives of the project but would avoid or substantially lessen any of the significant effects of the project and evaluate the comparative merits of the alternatives. The proposed alternatives for this project include “No Project,” “Drop Lot/Trailer Storage,” and “Reduced Project.”
Circulation
The project DEIR was circulated for the 45-day public review period beginning on September 11, 2024, and ending originally on October 25, 2024. The document was submitted to the State Clearinghouse for notification to State agencies for their possible comment. The City received comments on the DEIR from the following
public agencies, organizations, and individuals:
Letter Date Received Organization/Name
1. West Valley Water District, October 9, 2024
2. Blum, Collins & Ho LLP., October 23, 2024
3. Golden State Environmental Justice Alliance, October 24, 2024
The City along with the environmental consultant, has reviewed and provided responses to the letters/comments above; these are included in the Final EIR. The Final EIR along with errata has been included with the environmental documentation.
To approve the project, the Planning Commission must adopt a Statement of Overriding Considerations indicating that the project benefits override or outweigh the project identified unavoidable environmental impacts.
MOTION:
Approve staff’s recommendation.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Vicinity Map
2. Project Plans
3. Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 2025- Certification of the EIR and MMRP
4. Planning Commission Resolution No. PC 2025- Project approval
5. Notice of Determination
6. Public Hearing Notice