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After three years of often heated debate and discussion, a proposed mega-industrial project in Moreno Valley has reached its first public hearing.
The city’s s planning commission heard five hours of testimony Thursday on the World Logistics Center, a warehouse-distribution facility that would cover 40.6 million square feet at buildout.
Most of that testimony came from the city’s planning staff, which has already recommended that the project be approved.
The seven-member commission took no action on the project, which will be built by Highland Fairview in Moreno Valley.
Instead, the commission – which makes recommendations to the city council on all land-use issues – agreed to resume the hearing at its next regular meeting, scheduled for June 25.
The project, which would create about 20,000 jobs, has become so contentious that the meeting was held in the main ballroom of the Moreno Valley Conference & Recreation Center, in order to accommodate about 500 people.
Most in attendance were supporters of the project. They gave Iddo Benzeevi, Highland Fairview’s president and chief executive officer, a standing ovation after he spent more than one hour telling the commission why World Logistics Center is crucial to Moreno Valley’s future.
“This is a major opportunity for the city,” Benzeevi told the seven-member commission. “It will help the economy and it will help bring about a better way of life, if not for this generation, for our children.”
At least one audience member wasn’t persuaded.
“We already have enough [logistics projects], not only in Moreno Valley but everywhere around here,” said Ted Thornsley, an 18-year Moreno Valley resident. “I don’t think we need more of it.”
Public comments, which had just begun when the meeting was adjourned at midnight, will resume at the next meeting.
