Business and public commenters urge caution on proposed 197,000 sq. ft. warehouse at 301 Tennessee; item continued

Public commenters at the April 9 Planning Commission meeting urged commissioners to scrutinize a proposed 197,000‑square‑foot warehouse at 301 Tennessee Street and its possible effects on local traffic and wildlife.

Susan Redick, owner of Red Ink Machine at 301 Kansas Street, told commissioners she had been notified about an item that might affect her business and said she was concerned that combining nearby lots could invite truck traffic onto narrow Kansas Street. "We currently have... Amazon vans parked there overnight. We have semi trailer truck trailers parked overnight," she said, noting that school pickup at nearby Arrowhead Christian Academy sometimes blocks the southbound lane.

A staff member clarified the 301 Tennessee property corresponds to agenda item 5c and that the item has been continued to the April 23 Planning Commission meeting. During a later consent-calendar discussion, commissioners approved item 3C after staff and a commissioner said correspondence and staff analysis had addressed concerns about dedication status, environmental review and public safety.

A separate public commenter identified in the record as Mr. Kelly urged the commission not to vacate the dedication, arguing the area functions as a wildlife corridor and that California Fish and Wildlife had not been notified. "The proposal that is... going to make this exempt from the Environmental Quality Act is, lacking any environmental integrity," he said, requesting due diligence and review by wildlife authorities.

Why it matters: The 197,000‑square‑foot warehouse would be a large industrial use near small businesses, a narrow residential/commercial street and an elementary school; local business owners and wildlife advocates asked the commission to ensure traffic, safety and ecological impacts are fully addressed before any formal action.

Next steps: Planning staff and the applicants will return with the item on April 23, 2024, per the continuance. Commissioners and commenters asked staff to confirm environmental‑review requirements and appropriate agency notifications.