Sunset Crossroads

Argued the specific plan isn't in effect due to the pending referendum, so amending it now is a catch-22 that could taint the election and expose officials to legal jeopardy.

Supported the amendment as moving in the right direction but urged clear, enforceable definitions so developers can't dodge the bans by renaming facilities.

Thanked the Council for transparency, discussed the pending Sunset Crossroads referendum and possible uses of development revenue for fire services and recreation, and urged protecting seniors who lack access to private community facilities.

Asked whether money designated for debt repayment, animal services, and downtown revitalization could be redirected, and what the downside is of not using the $3 million advance for debt.

Detailed questions about why two 2005 fire engines are valued at $4.5M in the new fee study, who confirmed those numbers, and argued the Sunset Crossroads agreement doesn't obligate the developer to build a fire station.

Opposed the warehouses but noted Sun Lakes fought Walmart while younger residents weren't consulted — only time will tell.

A young Sunset Avenue resident asked whether the project builds a community families want to stay in, not just fills vacant land.

Pointed out the plan is 95% industrial — 4.75 million square feet versus only 223,735 square feet commercial — so it isn't shopping.

Said warehouses are closing nationwide, feared an ICE facility, and noted only the warehouse has a construction timeline.

Referenced LA warehouse news and simply asked: what is in the warehouse?

Twenty years in the area, sees empty warehouses everywhere and says Banning doesn't need another one.

Cited air quality and pollution, accused the council of bending to the developer, and urged residents to remember at the ballot box.

Asked each council member to guarantee data centers and battery storage stay out and truck traffic stays off Sun Lakes Boulevard.

A retired UPS driver said out-of-state drivers won't stay off Sun Lakes Boulevard, and data centers would force rolling blackouts.

Relayed messages from working residents and said true democracy is decided at the ballot box.

A new Sun Lakes resident a year in the city said the issue is strong on both sides and asked that citizens be allowed to vote.

Said data-center discussion has nothing to do with Item 9.1 and asked the council to stay focused.

Tired of shopping in Beaumont but recalled Barrington's campaign comment and asked for a vision beyond warehouses and data centers.

The 81-year-old widow living on the corner where trucks already turn around described trucks looking into her bedroom window and asked what will happen to seniors along that wall.

Feared 18-wheelers endangering pedestrians and golf carts in the 55-and-over community and depressed home values.

Asked whether low-income Section 8 apartments are planned; staff later confirmed no apartments are planned in the project.

Serrano del Vista resident urging the council to listen to residents about two-lane roads and warehouse impacts.

Said the council made its decision and it will now be up to the voters.

Believed the council could still vote to rescind the project approval.

Cited the Highland Springs bottleneck and developer glossies that omitted warehouses; warned the developer could still initiate data centers.

Said the council ignored residents, the Planning Commission and the EIR's unmitigable impacts, as with Banning Point before.

Supported the resolutions, saying Banning needs shopping and development instead of everyone spending in Beaumont.

Argued the heavily amended project became a new 'Project B' that should have gone back to the Planning Commission first.

Called the project a balanced investment bringing jobs, tax base, parks and CEQA mitigation.

A public health researcher worried about children's lungs near heavy truck traffic and urged small-business development instead.

Questioned how a 2-million-square-foot warehouse generates revenue and said colorful AI-made brochures promise shopping that will never come.

Urged the council to consider whether the project is right for the city, noting residents oppose empty warehouses and the economy is uncertain.

Opposed: 1,850 trucks a day is more than one per minute; worried about emergency access, freeway load, noise and pollution; suggested the airport instead.

Said council loyalty belongs to residents, not freight; cited credibility issues and gridlock fears on Sunset and Lincoln.

Formally opposed the whole project as wrong project, wrong location; urged denial consistent with the Planning Commission.