In the Inland Empire region, the Safe Routes Partnership joined four local non-profit organizations to author a coalition letter raising concerns over warehouse developments near schools and homes. The coalition letter highlighted concerns over a environmental impact report regarding the development of the Fontana Southwest Logistics project expansion in Fontana, California. The coalition also includes Sierra Club, Inland Empire Biking Alliance and the Center for Community Action and Environmental Justice (CCAEJ). The group came together to elevate issues such as school traffic safety, air quality, resident displacement, labor instability and general plan inconsistencies as potential dangers arising from the proposed project.
The Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR) highlighted the project's promixmity to various homes, church and the Jurupa Hill High School. Not to mention, advocates are concerned that truck routes would lead freight too close to at least three other local schools in an area where sidewalks and crosswalks are deficient. Alongside our non-profit partners, we have met with Goodman Developers to discuss stratgies to keep community members and schoolchildren safe should the warehouse be approved. The group discussed a restricted truck route away from schools as well time restriction when school is session. The group also suggested the development of a community benefits agreement to idenify the best solutions to safeguard further displacement of residential homes near projects and labor agreements for fair warehouse worker wages. The group testified at the December 5th Planning Commission by reitereing concerns and highlighting solutions. The project is set to be heard by the planning commission on December 19th and then will head to City Council for approval in January.
We look forward to continuing the dialogue between the City of Fontana, Goodman and our community. Our hope is that we build a stronger relationship with both agencies and develop a restricted truck route to keep schoolchildren safe and a community benefits agreement to keep our communities prosperous. Read our comments on the DEIR here for more information on the project.
**Photos of high school cross-country runners taken by CCAEJ intern Andrea Vidaurre near proposed project along Santa Ana Avenue.
