Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in San Bernardino public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
15 issues in development with high priority
Surplus Land Disposition Framework
The city owns about 13 acres near the Hope Campus bought with ARPA money, and the council wants a study or consultant to figure out whether it should become affordable or permanent supportive housing — with a developer-focused workshop planned for spring.
Privacy and neighborhood impacts of three-story multifamily development
The city had to update its local rules to match new state laws on backyard granny flats and garage conversions, sparking major resident and council pushback over lost parking, increased density, and a lack of local enforcement against illegal building.
Vacant and abandoned building registration
Councilmember Knaus's proposal would require registration of vacant properties, mandatory maintenance, and progressive fees to fight blight.
68-home PRD subdivision in Ward 2
Century Communities wants to turn about 5.8 acres of commercially-designated land near N. Miramonte Drive and N. Little Mountain Road into 68 two-story homes. Changing the land's designation from commercial to residential would bring new housing — and new neighbors and traffic — to Ward 2.
Verdemont Heights 105-lot housing development
The council settled whether a Bay Area environmental group's appeal could stop a 105-home subdivision. The unanimous denial means the project's environmental review stands and homes can move toward construction.
Arden Guthrie Site Development
After roughly two decades vacant, the city-owned 17-acre Highland Avenue site may finally redevelop. The council picked Panorama Properties — over a competing bid from Schneider Commercial — for exclusive negotiations, with a grocery-anchored retail center among the concepts. Community outreach and the freeway off-ramp problem remain key challenges.
McDonald's reconsideration on Baseline
After three denials, the Council finally approved the fast-food drive-thru in a transit-overlay zone. Opponents cited health, walkability, and process concerns; supporters said it activates a vacant, blighted corner and brings jobs.
Cannabis dispensary relocation to 1602 W. Highland Avenue
Dozens of West Side residents demanded the Council rescind the June 17 approval of the dispensary, citing proximity to a church, library, and school district facility. The City Manager explained the city's website had an outdated ordinance and the approval was technically compliant.
University Hills development and hang-glider access
A long-delayed 327-home project on 404 acres near Cal State San Bernardino was continued to June so the council can resolve coordination with the university and address fault, wildlife and hang-gliding safety concerns.
Foothill Boulevard subdivision conditions (138 homes)
A previously approved 138-house project on W. Foothill Boulevard could see its conditions revised, including changes to street improvements along Foothill and Macy Streets. Residents along the corridor may see changes to planned road work.
Downtown specific plan, Carousel Mall and City Hall renewal
Mayor Tran and Councilmember Flores pushed to move the $248,000 City Hall rehab project off the deferral list so it becomes a shelf-ready project for state and federal funding requests.
Tenant protections and rental conditions
Several speakers and a neighborhood association raised rent control, affordable housing, and homelessness, warning that any resident could lose housing and calling for local jobs so workers don't commute to Los Angeles.
Regional Housing Trust participation
Two items would put roughly $1.24 million into a home rehabilitation program with Neighborhood Partnership Housing Services and bring the city into the San Bernardino Regional Housing Trust.
Housing production lag
Knaus flagged that San Bernardino issued only 166 housing permits in 2024 versus 1,347 in Ontario and 905 in Rancho Cucamonga, calling it a sign of internal operational problems the city must fix.
SB HOPE Campus funding reallocation
Nearly $2 million in federal funds that sat unspent for up to five years is being redirected to the SB HOPE Campus homeless services project. Residents demanded quarterly spending reports and criticized past mismanagement.