47-Acre Development Project In Banning's Sun Lakes Under Scrutiny

BANNING, CA — A large-scale development project proposed for the Sun Lakes community will get another look this week, and the public is invited to weigh in.

During the regularly scheduled Banning Planning Commission meeting scheduled Wednesday, the commissioners will hold a public hearing to discuss the proposed mixed-used project on 47 acres off Interstate 10 that is slated to include a 619,959-square-foot industrial building and six retail/restaurant buildings that would total 34,000 square feet.

The proposed site is situated north of Sun Lakes Boulevard, east of Highland Springs Avenue, south of Interstate 10, and west and north of The Lakes at Banning Assisted Living and Memory Care facility. The proposed site is within the Sun Lakes Village North Specific Plan No. 5

The commissioners will decide whether a prior final environmental impact report for a project at the site that was previously signed off by the city is still valid for the newly amended proposal. The commissioners will also decide whether to sign off on a design review and a tentative parcel map for the new project.

According to city documents, the proposed project site has "remained undeveloped for over 30-years due to overly restrictive zoning, failed real estate transactions, and continued community opposition."

In late 2019, the city initiated an overhaul of the Sun Lakes Village North Specific Plan "in order to foster future economic development and position the property to take advantage of current economic trends," according to city documents.

In consultation with the property owner and city-managed contract planning staff, the current version of the plan was developed.

A city-approved statement in the final environmental impact report for a development project at the site found there would be "significant impacts" on the environment, but the harm would be "outweighed by the substantial economic benefit potential of the project," according to city documents.

Additionally, City Council determined the proposed project would "create significant job opportunities, increase both property and sales tax revenue," and would "diversify the City’s land-use potential."

However, many in the public are not keen on the proposed project. During an October 19 public hearing, the commissioners heard testimony in connection with the project.

"A majority of public testimony came from the Sun Lakes Community and was mainly in opposition to the project," according to city documents.

Public concerns included traffic, air quality, noise, lighting, and health impacts, among others, city documents show.

The project owner is Phoenix-based Sun Lakes Highland LLC, and the project applicant is Riverside-based MIG.

Wednesday's Planning Commission meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. in City Council Chambers, 99 E. Ramsey Street. The meeting will also be available via video/teleconference. Click here for more information and to read the full meeting agenda.