Resident urges better cumulative planning, evacuation-route info amid new development

A Rancho Cucamonga resident used the public-comment period to press the council on cumulative impacts from new development and to request clearer evacuation-route information for very high fire zones.

"How much planning has gone into the traffic flow in all the new projects? Are there community maps that show evacuation routes for folks out of the very high fire zones where they're gonna be built?" Jerry Jacobson asked, saying he had reviewed the 256-page Local Hazard Mitigation Plan and that one project under litigation would add an estimated 6,000 homes to an area he said currently contains under 5,000 homes.

Jacobson said increased development without comprehensive street planning raises congestion around schools and neighborhoods and increases the risk of harm to children and residents. He told the council he is not on social media and urged improved communication beyond online postings so residents are aware of projects earlier in the process.

City staff offered to meet with Jacobson after the meeting to discuss his questions with the fire chief and the city engineer.