Yucaipa residents oppose massive warehouse plan amid logistics hub fears

Residents of Yucaipa are expressing strong opposition to a proposed warehouse complex, fearing it could transform their community into a logistics hub similar to Fontana or San Bernardino. The Pacific Oaks Commerce Center project, which includes two buildings of approximately 1 million square feet each, is projected to generate around 1,100 daily truck trips, exacerbating air quality issues in a region already ranked among the worst in the nation. Local activists and over 60 organizations have called for a moratorium on new warehouses, citing environmental justice concerns and the detrimental impact of diesel emissions on public health. The Yucaipa City Council must approve the project and update a 2008 development plan that currently allows for warehouses in specific areas. The proposed update would shift warehouse locations closer to residential areas, which has raised alarm among residents who believe this contradicts the original intent of the plan, which aimed to minimize the impact on housing and preserve open space. Critics argue that the new zoning would prioritize industrial development over community well-being. As the local logistics industry faces a downturn, with job losses and rising vacancies, residents question the long-term economic benefits of such projects. Many fear that the influx of warehouses will not only harm the environment but also alter the character of Yucaipa, which has historically been known for its natural beauty and agricultural roots. The community's resistance highlights a growing concern about the balance between economic development and environmental sustainability, as residents advocate for preserving their quality of life against the backdrop of increasing industrialization in the Inland Empire.