Redlands News: November 22, 2024
TN Street warehouse fate decided, Community survey results mixed, Final chance to dine at iconic restaurant and U of R get national spotlight
HEADLINER
Tennessee St. warehouse denied: Prologis loses appeal after City Council gridlock
The Planning Commission’s decision to deny a nearly 200,000 square foot warehouse stands following City Council’s tie vote Tuesday.
REDLANDS, Calif. – The former La-Z-Boy facility on Tennessee Street will remain as is for now after Prologis Inc. failed to win an appeal of its redevelopment project denied by the Planning Commission. In May, the Commission voted unanimously to deny the applicant’s permit for a 197,398 square foot distribution warehouse.
The City Council voted 2-2 to uphold the Planning Commission’s decision, with Council members Denise Davis and Jenna Guzman-Lowery voting in favor. Due to the tie, the appeal failed, and the Planning Commission’s decision to deny the project stands.
Mayor Eddie Tejeda recused himself from the vote over the perception of a conflict of interest based on his campaign donations.
Why it matters: The 40-foot-tall distribution warehouse was proposed across the street from Esri and just hundreds of feet away from preschool and elementary students. While the developers followed the good neighbor rules set by the city, the Planning Commission found that the distribution warehouse was not consistent with applicable land use plans, the project would be detrimental to public health, safety and welfare, and 115+ daily truck trips would have a detrimental impact on traffic.
Continue reading here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
NEWS BRIEF
Redlands survey results: Praise for cultural offerings, confidence in local government drops
REDLANDS, Calif. — A recent community survey in Redlands reveals residents' top priorities and concerns, with homelessness and public safety emerging as the most pressing issues.
Why it matters: The survey results are used to inform the city council's priorities and planning for the coming year. The low participation rate, however, could inspire efforts to develop more effective methods for gathering comprehensive community feedback.
Details: The 2024 National Community Survey, conducted by Policy Confluence Inc. (Polco), gathered responses from 717 Redlands residents, representing less than 2% of the city's adult population.
Learn more about the results here.
Kathryne Mccann
🏘️ Homeless housing funded: Redlands City Council has approved a new agreement with Step Up on Second Street Inc. to continue managing the Step Up In Redlands permanent supportive housing facility. The agreement is part of a larger commitment by the city to support the Project Homekey initiative, a state-funded program aimed at rapidly expanding housing for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Read more about Redlands' financial investment in the project at the link below.
Kathryne Mccann
🏥 Children's hospital breaks ground: Loma Linda University Children’s Health (LLUCH) is taking a significant step forward in pediatric care with the groundbreaking of its new Specialty Clinics building. The ceremony was held on Nov. 19 and marks the beginning of construction for the new five-story, 105,000-square-ft facility. The building will house a wide range of services, including orthopedic surgery, high-risk infant care, cardiology and speech therapy. Located at the southeast corner of the Barton Road and Anderson Street intersection in Loma Linda, the facility is set to open in 2026. Read more about the ceremony by clicking the link below.
Kathryne Mccann
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
🎥 Redlands stop on college tour: The University of Redlands shares its transformative campus experience in a new half-hour episode of Amazon’s College Tour. The show offers prospective students a closer look at the university’s unique offerings. Read more about two students who were chosen to share their college experiences here.
Contributor
🇺🇸 Lincoln comes to life: The legacy of Abraham Lincoln came to life on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Lincoln Memorial Shrine in Smiley Park, as Redlands celebrated the 161st anniversary of Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. A recap of the event and pictures from local photographer Dave Card here.
Contributor
🍝 Last chance to dine: Iconic Isabella’s Ristorante Italiano is set to close its Redlands doors after 31 years. Beloved Italian eatery has moved to Yucaipa as the lease ends, but owners Martin and Ruthie Felix promise loyal customers the same menu and warm atmosphere at the new location. Read more from contributor Julie Farren here.
Contributor
🥁 Band across the pond: REV band and orchestra students, joined by peers from Southern California, toured five European countries as part of the Ambassadors of Music European Tour 2024, performing at iconic venues and creating memories of a lifetime. Back home, they continue to excel in local competitions. Read more from local contributor Shantell Sunderman here.
Shantell Sunderman
SPORTS
Local sports writer John Murphy covers the season start for girls and boys basketball in the Citrus Belt League.
John Murphy
John Murphy
OPINION
Opinion
To submit an op-ed for consideration, email news@communityforwardredlands.com
UPCOMING
📌 Nov. 22 - Lighting up Downtown: The holiday season is about to sparkle in Redlands as the city prepares to illuminate its Historic Downtown and Civic Center on Nov. 22. The yearly lighting event kicks off at 6 p.m. in Ed Hales Park, at the corner of 5th and East State streets. But the fun starts even earlier. From 5 p.m., families can enjoy a range of activities before the main event. Read more here.
Staff Writer
📌 Nov. 22 New Exhibit at SB County Museum: AVIS MARVELOUS: Ornithology on the Western Frontier opens Friday at 9am!
📌 Nov. 28 - Turkey Trot: There is still time to sign up for the annual Turkey Trot that raises money for local schools and collects food pantry donations.
Contributor
📌 Dec. 6 - Christmas Under the Starts, Featuring The Modern Gentlemen: 7pm at the Redlands Bowl. No admission charge.
📌 Dec. 2 - 22 - A Sherlock Carol at Redlands Footlighters Theatre: Six actors take on the beloved characters of Arthur Conan Doyle and Charles Dickens in this heartwarming and highly theatrical holiday treat for all ages.
Find these events and more on our community calendar.
FINALLY
Redlands Police Department's K9 Jake and Officer Mazi Shahabi have taken the top spot in the Explosive Detection Vehicle Search Competition at the Riverside Sheriff Department's Annual K9 Trial and Public Safety Fair.
The pair beat out about 60 other dog teams from around the country in the two-day event. The competition puts various skills to the test, including finding drugs, locating evidence, protection, agility, and following commands.
Read more about the dynamic duo here.
Stephanie Hastings Miranda
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