Eastvale – The Goodman-Birtcher warehouse construction project that was halted at the June 11 Eastvale City Council meeting – when the Council voted 3-2 not to approve the re-zoning and other aspects of the project – has been given new life.
After the developer appealed to the Council and asked to be put back on the agenda, the Council voted 5-0 to grant the developer’s request for reconsideration.
This project – which has been met with some resistance from many members of the community – included a general plan amendment, zone change and specific plan for a 205 acre site; a tentative parcel map for subdivision of a 193 acre area into five industrial parcels; two business park parcels; and one commercial parcel. In addition, the project also calls for the major development of a 2,714,829 square foot light industrial space, including four industrial/warehouse buildings.
In July, before the council voted on the reconsideration, Bryan Birtcher, CEO of Goodman-Birtcher, addressed the council and expressed his gratitude for the project being reconsidered. He also said that there was some general confusion in the community over the Lewis Retail activities. Randall Lewis then spoke and clarified that Lewis Properties are “major supporters of the project and it’s a major investment in the Eastvale community. It will be good for the City.”
The reconsideration called for the developers to take the recommendations of the Council and to resubmit their requests at a future meeting. It appears that Goodman-Bircher did just this and made some significant changes before re-submitting their plans to the Planning Commission.
The Eastvale Planning Commission reviewed the revamped plans last month and unanimously approved them. One of the major changes made: there are now only two distribution centers, and those centers will be placed up closer to the freeway. The new plans will be discussed in their entirety at the next City Council meeting to be held at Rosa Parks Elementary on Nov. 12. Goodman-Bircher will be on hand to present and answer questions.
With the revamped and updated plans, council members who were previously concerned about traffic and the negative impacts of the project may be swayed to give the project another chance if, according to councilmember Bill Link, “The project is in line with what we feel would be best for the nearby residents and the overall City as a whole.”
Mayor Pro-Tem Adam Rush had stated at a previous City Council meeting that, “When the revised plan comes before Council, we will really need to look at the benefits versus the impacts and make the decision.”
City Council Meetings are always open to the public and opinions are welcome. Come educate and inform yourself at the next one.
