The March Joint Powers Commission unanimously rejected the proposed "March Innovation Hub" project Monday night. The decision came after more than three hours of public testimony and commission deliberation at the Riverside County Administration Center.
The project, proposed by Meridian Park West LLC, would have developed 347 acres with a mix of industrial, business park and mixed-use zones, while designating 468 acres as conservation easement.
Commissioners voted 8-0 to reject the project despite a last-minute offer from the developer to prohibit warehouses and logistics operations within the industrial zone. The special meeting drew more than 100 speakers, with testimony split between those opposing the project due to environmental and quality of life concerns, and those supporting it for potential job creation and economic benefits.
"I agree with the opponents of this project," said Commissioner Jose Medina, who made the motion to reject the proposal. "I believe, as the student, the graduate of UCR spoke, that we do need more technology. But I don't see that in this plan."
Many opponents expressed concerns about air quality impacts, traffic congestion, and the possibility of warehouses being built near residential neighborhoods in the Orange Crest, Mission Grove and Woodcrest areas of Riverside.
"Our region is already burdened with poor air quality," said Azarelli, a Riverside resident. "The warehouse component of the project requires that thousands or hundreds of diesel fueled trucks and cars enter our peaceful and quiet communities."
The developer attempted to address these concerns with the "March Innovation Hub" concept, focusing on attracting technology, clean energy, aviation, healthcare, and entrepreneurship businesses. The plan included a $4 million endowment to support innovation initiatives and help retain local talent.
"The goal is to drive economic growth and create high value jobs in this region," said Randall Lewis of the Lewis Group of Companies. "We hope to develop a campus for research, clean technology, advanced manufacturing."
The proposal also included commitments to build a 60-acre community park, a fire station, and maintain 578 acres of open space, including conservation areas and trails.
Brian Goodman, representing Meridian Park West, highlighted that the project would create an estimated 3,100 permanent jobs. Union representatives voiced strong support for the construction jobs the project would create.
During commission deliberation, several commissioners expressed concerns about the industrial zoning that would allow warehouses to be built without further discretionary approval from the Board of Supervisors once the March Joint Powers Authority sunsets in July.
"If we approve it today and it's in the specific plan, it doesn't again come back to the Board of Supervisors for approval because it's already approved in the specific plan," Medina noted.
In a last-minute attempt to salvage the project, the developer offered to remove logistics and warehousing uses from the industrial zone and add a requirement that future development plans go before the Board of Supervisors for approval. Despite this concession, a substitute motion to approve the project with modifications failed on a 4-4 tie vote before the commission unanimously approved Medina's motion to reject the proposal.
"We are 100% willing to absolutely give the decision making, the ultimate decision making control and authority to County Board of Supervisors in the future," Goodman said.
The decision leaves unresolved the Joint Powers Authority's court-mandated obligation to build a 48-to-60-acre park in the area, which stems from a 2003 settlement agreement with community groups.
Dr. Grace Martin, CEO of the March Joint Powers Authority, noted that without the developer's contribution, the cost for the JPA to build the park independently would exceed $50 million.
"The staff would come back to the commission for a discussion on the item," Martin said. "We don't have those types of funds available, so we'd come to the member agencies for a discussion on funding for that."
Commissioner Chuck Conder expressed concern about what might eventually be built on the property.
"Something's going to go there. It's not going to stay empty forever," Conder said. "We want manufacturing jobs. We want people to come out of UCR and have a job and stay here in Riverside."
The March Joint Powers Authority's land use authority is scheduled to sunset on July 1, when jurisdiction will transfer to Riverside County, meaning any future development proposals for the site will need to start the entitlement process from the beginning, which developer representatives said could take several years.
The controversial project had previously been tabled at the June 12, 2024 Joint Powers Commission meeting after more than three hours of public testimony against the development.
