Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission approves 1-million-square-foot warehouse

DESERT HOT SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) -- Another warehouse is coming to Desert Hot Springs, despite some residents concerns. 

Desert Hot Springs Planning Commission unanimously approved the 'Snider Logistic Center' development permit and a preparation of an environmental impact report Tuesday evening. That means the project only has to get city permits approved, then can begin construction.

City documents say the proposed project would consist of a 1,002,109-square-foot, two-story industrial building on an approximately 64.58-acre site located on Calle de los Romos, off 19th Ave.

During the meeting, some residents expressed concerns about the environmental impact of a large scale warehouse, as a result of the nearly 2,100 daily truck trips.

"This is a beautiful place. We don't want it all smoggy because we're bringing more trucks in," Debbie English said.

The commission clarified the project will move forward with conditional approvals that it will not serve as a data center or ICE facility, after speculation online that it could be a data center.

"Before you get a certificate of occupancy, we’re going to walk the site and affirm that this is what it's being used for. Also, when you have these conditions of approval, it also allows for the city to do onsite inspections," Mayor Pro Tem Dirk Voss said.

However, some residents are still weighing the benefits.

"If we're utilizing it and bringing, tax dollars to our local community, hiring local, I think that is a critical factor," Thomi Clinton said.

News Channel 3 worked to get answers from city officials.

Developers and city leaders say the warehouse will bring millions in revenue and nearly 1,000 jobs. Voss says it will also expand the city's southern development.

"It expands our industrial zone, at one point that was all raw land. That brings utilities, power, water, sewer, all these type of things. It'll be building out some roadways in that area as well and connecting all of that," Voss said.

Clinton, who lives just a few miles from the warehouse, says it's all about balance.

"We can have progress and still protect the environment and make it economically beneficial. At the same time, we just need to understand that costs in short cuts impact everyone and includes impacts your future children," she said.