Adelanto planning commission approves subdivision for 17.69‑acre industrial site tied to previously approved cannabis uses

The Adelanto Planning Commission voted unanimously on April 21 to adopt Resolution P‑21‑08 and approve Tentative Parcel Map 20350, a subdivision of a 17.69‑acre site at the southwest corner of Air Expressway and Koala Road into 18 parcels intended to host industrial buildings previously permitted for cannabis‑related operations.

Planner Jim Hirsch, of the city’s planning division, told commissioners the map reflects earlier approvals and recommended adoption of the CEQA finding. "The project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act, or CEQA, under Section 15.162," Hirsch said during the staff presentation, describing the site plan and prior mitigated negative declaration adopted with the earlier CUP and LDP approvals.

The nut of the action before the commission was the subdivision itself: Hirsch said the applicant — Morris Mu and Partners, represented in the public queue by a Mike who identified himself on the call — seeks to split previously approved building footprints so each side of a two‑sided building becomes separate parcels with property lines at the building center. The project calls for three phases of construction producing roughly nine buildings (divided into units) totaling about 567,000 square feet; Hirsch and the representative said the proposed buildings would be about 38 feet tall, under a 60‑foot limit, and that required parking is provided at the levels outlined in the staff report.

Members pressed the applicant on logistics. Commissioner Massey asked whether parking would be adequate for two businesses per divided building; the project representative said the site is "over parked" and no additional spaces would be required. The staff timeline outlined Phase 1 site work and three buildings in 2021 (requiring 161 spaces), Phase 2 in 2023, and Phase 3 in 2025 with additional on‑site improvements.

Public comment before the vote included repeated objections to planting more cannabis operations in Adelanto and questions about local impacts. Diana Esmeralda, who identified herself as a resident, urged the commission to slow the item and look deeper into water use and permitting practices and raised an allegation linking recent unexplained mounds of dirt around town to the Boring Company and to local leaders. "It's come to light that Boring Company ... and the mayor has some kind of agreement with the city manager," Esmeralda said, urging coordination with San Bernardino County supervisors. Another resident, Jacqueline, said the town already contends with natural sandstorms and said additional industrial activity risked worsening those problems: "I don't like the sandstorms that we already have ... and you're saying, oh, who cares?" she said.

Chair (speaker 1) responded to public concerns by reminding callers that the commission was voting only on the subdivision: "The item in front of us right now is just a subdivision of a lot," the Chair said, noting that the CUP/LDP and building details had been approved previously and were not before the commission for reconsideration.

A final caller identified as Claude Pramley urged a straightforward approval, saying the action was limited to subdivision of an already accepted plan. Following discussion, the Chair moved to adopt Resolution P‑21‑08 to find the project exempt from CEQA under Section 15.162 and approve Tentative Parcel Map 20350; Commissioner Brown seconded. The commission recorded a 5–0 vote in favor and approved the map.

City staff told the commission there were no Park and Recreation items for the night and provided a brief update that a new planner will be added to the staff roster. Commissioners closed the meeting after brief updates about training, remote‑meeting technology and upcoming events at the Adelanto stadium.

The subdivision approval allows the developer to proceed with the recorded parcel map; construction phasing, final building permits and compliance with the previously adopted mitigation and monitoring program remain subject to applicable permits and inspections.