541-Acre Proposed Beaumont Pointe Project: Another Public Hearing Set

BEAUMONT, CA — Another public hearing is scheduled this week to discuss the massive 541-acre Beaumont Pointe Project proposal that aims to bring more warehousing and commerical development to the region.

During the Jan. 10 Beaumont Planning Commission meeting, commissioners will hear more public comments and will again discuss the proposed project targeted to parallel the south side of state Route 60 in an unincorporated area within the city of Beaumont's sphere of influence. The site is west of Jack Rabbit Trail, and north of the proposed Fourth Street extension (see map below).

The vacant land eyed for the project is currently zoned as rural residential (1-acre lots). The applicant — JRT BP 1, LLC — is requesting that the city annex the vast space and change the General Plan land use designation to industrial, general commercial, open space and open space conservation. The proposal also includes a request to annex into the Beaumont Cherry Valley Water District.

The changes could pave the way for the applicant to move forward on the Beaumont Pointe Project Specific Plan, which calls for the development of five industrial buildings containing up to 4,995,000 square feet. A 35,000-square-foot self-storage building, up to 246,000 square feet of general commercial uses, and a 125-room hotel with approximately 90,000 square feet are also planned at the site. The proposal also calls for 124.7 acres of open space and 152.4 acres of open space conservation.

According to city documents, the project site is comprised of 15 vacant parcels. The parcels to the west and south of the project site are vacant except Hoy Ranch to the south. To the east is the newly constructed Amazon facility and the United Legwear facility that is under construction. State Route 60 is located to the north, and heading further north is open space and the Olivewood Community, according to the documents.

Environmental considerations will be weighed during the public hearing, including the findings of an Environmental Impact Report that was mandated for the project. Numerous concerns have been cited.

Wednesday's public hearing is being continued from the Nov. 29 Beaumont Planning Commission meeting. This week's hearing is part of the Jan. 10 regularly scheduled meeting that begins at 6 p.m. at 550 E. Sixth Street in Beaumont. See the full meeting agenda here.