Proposed warehouse near offices, schools and multi-family homes heads to Redlands City Council

REDLANDS, Calif. – The Redlands City Council will consider an appeal on Tuesday, Nov. 19, for a proposed 197,397-square-foot distribution warehouse denied by the Planning Commission in May 2024.

Prologis Inc., the developer, is appealing the Planning Commission's unanimous decision to deny the project at 301 Tennessee Street, the site of the former La-Z-Boy factory.

Why it matters: The City Council can decide to reverse or uphold the Planning Commission's decision, depending on whether they think the project meets the finding outlined in the staff report.

If approved, the warehouse would be 10 feet taller and nearly 120 feet longer than any other single building on Tennessee Street, according to the Commission's resolution denying the project.

Details: The Planning Commission denied the warehouse for several reasons, including failure to align with the city's land use plans, safety and traffic concerns, and incompatibility with the surrounding area's character and infrastructure.

The proposed warehouse is located approximately 400 feet east of the ESRI headquarters. It is also near two schools: Redlands Christian Upper School, about 350 feet to the south, and Redlands Adventist Academy, about 400 feet to the southeast. Additionally, high-density multifamily residential neighborhoods are situated roughly 700 feet from the project site.

During an April 23 public hearing, the Commission received more than 50 public comments opposing the project. Residents cited concerns about worsening air quality, proximity to schools, increased traffic, and a mismatch with the neighborhood's aesthetic.

Dive deeper: The denial resolution outlined several key findings:

• Land use consistency:
  The proposed warehouse conflicts with the city's land use plans. The site is zoned for low-intensity industrial use, such as furniture manufacturing, and is incompatible with high-intensity logistics operations. The surrounding area includes professional offices, schools, and residential neighborhoods, which the Commission deemed unsuitable for a large-scale warehouse.
• Public health and safety:
  The development could harm public health and safety due to increased truck traffic, estimated at 115 trucks per day. The traffic study did not adequately assess impacts on freeway ramps and streets, raising concerns about congestion and safety at railroad crossings. The resolution noted multiple recent accidents involving vehicles, pedestrians, and trains in the area, some resulting in serious injuries or fatalities.
• Appropriateness of location:
  At 40 feet tall, the warehouse would significantly exceed the height and scale of nearby buildings, which are mostly one or two stories. The project’s design resembles warehouses typically located farther away from residential and school areas.
• Street and highway design:
  Local streets are ill-equipped to handle the anticipated traffic volume and large trucks. Kansas Street, the designated truck route, lacks sufficient infrastructure, such as wide lanes and adequate space for truck queuing.
• Compatibility with surrounding development:
  The warehouse's size and design, including its 40-foot height and large concrete facade, do not match the character of nearby commercial and office buildings. These structures feature varied materials and more compatible architectural styles.

The appeal comes months after the City Council went against the recommendation of the Planning Commission and approved a warehouse development on California Street.

Moving forward: The Redlands City Council will meet in closed session at 5 p.m., followed by open session at 6 p.m. Public comments may be given in person or via Zoom during the meeting. The Zoom link and full agenda are available here.

Written public comments for agenda item K-1 can also be emailed to City Council members ahead of the meeting.