Cajalco project in Mead Valley to bring new park and progress, but worries linger
Despite community benefits like a public park, the newly approved Cajalco Commerce Center faces questions about truck traffic, noise and pollution.
Despite community benefits like a public park, the newly approved Cajalco Commerce Center faces questions about truck traffic, noise and pollution
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on Tuesday, July 29, to rezone nearly 65 acres in unincorporated Mead Valley for a possible new warehouse development and public park.
That proposed project, known as the Cajalco Commerce Center, aims to transform mostly rural residential and commercial land into roughly one million square feet of warehouse space on 44 acres. Another 13 acres will be set aside as open space for a park that includes sports fields, walking trails and a playground.
The proposed site is located at the southwest corner of Cajalco Expressway/Road and Seaton Avenue. The warehouse is expected to stand 44 feet tall and feature more than 150 loading dock doors on its north and south sides.
With no opposition from First District Supervisor Jose Medina, who represents the area, the project was approved unanimously by the board.
“I think residents were pretty clear that Mead Valley has many, many needs,” said Medina.
Hillwood Investment Properties, the project’s developer, says the Cajalco Commerce Center will provide critical truck access and visibility for a future tenant, according to county planning reports. However, planners also estimate the development could generate hundreds of truck trips per day during both construction and operation, raising concerns among some residents about traffic, noise and pollution.
“I like the idea of a park and stuff, we do need more parks,” said David Hernandez, who has lived in Mead Valley for 32 years. “But my concern is warehouses being built there.”
Other speakers, including members of local carpenters unions who help build warehouse projects, said the addition of a park would offer families a place to take their children and grandchildren. Some also thanked Hillwood for engaging with residents throughout the planning process.
“Because of Hillwood’s support, we have been able to increase the presentation of our events,” said Noland Turnage, pastor at Grove Community Center, which also serves as Mead Valley’s local community hub. “They have supported nearly all of our events…they have given out turkeys…support our back to school event…”
Before the board’s vote, Supervisors Medina and Yxstian Gutierrez asked Hillwood representatives if the company would continue investing in community benefits.
“We've gone to two MAC meetings over the last two years…we did two community town halls as we call them…to solicit questions and feedback and really talk through the project with the community,” said Hillwood representative Scott Morse. “So we're actually pretty excited about what we've heard from the community, and we're trying to bring all of what we heard into the project.”
Past trends and "methodical" nature of project approvals frustrates grassroots groups
Franco Pacheco, co-founder of the Mead Valley Coalition for Clean Air, says the proposed rezoning for the Cajalco Commerce Center is part of a broader push to industrialize Mead Valley. The area has a rich history of being an unincorporated, rural community.
“All the warehousing being proposed is disproportionately going to be in Mead Valley,” Pacheco said. “That’s why opposing these amendments is so important.”
He notes the proposed warehouse would be surrounded by other industrial projects that have already been approved or are currently under review.
“This is how it starts. A developer presents a project, and then an agency or board rubber stamps it,” says Pacheco. “It’s a methodical process. Every time they do this, they point to land use and keep expanding the line west down Cajalco Road.”
According to the Warehouse CITY data tool that tracks warehouse growth, Mead Valley already hosts over 15 million square feet of existing warehouse space across 53 facilities, with an additional 4.6 million square feet already approved for development and more projects under environmental review.
Pacheco warns that if the trend continues, Mead Valley could surpass warehouse hubs like Ontario, Moreno Valley and Fontana.
“The data backs it up. When you look at the maps showing warehouse concentration, Mead Valley is next in line. It might even be set to surpass them.”
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