Despite opposition by Public Storage Inc., city council members in Pomona, Calif., last week approved plans to develop a mixed-use business center and self-storage facility on the grounds of Fairplex, where the annual L.A. County Fair is held.
The development includes converting 20 barn and stable buildings into a 94,200-square-foot self-storage facility and a 208,721-square-foot business center that would include space for office, medical, educational, retail, restaurant and light-manufacturing uses.
Los Angeles County Fair Association, which governs the use of the grounds, said last week development will be completed in three phases in 2012. The Pomona Planning Commissioners approved the project in October 2010, but faced opposition from representatives for Fairplex and Public Storage, both of which filed appeals. Fairplex officials asked the commission to change or eliminate the limit on the amount of space a tenant in the business center could use for warehousing. Public Storage, a self-storage real estate investment trust, requested an environmental impact study be completed.
In November 2010, city councils members voted to hold an appeal hearing. After several postponements, the council voted 5-0 last week to uphold the Planning Commissions decisions. Representatives from Public Storage said the company will sue the city if a full environmental study is not ordered.
The city maintains an environmental impact study is not needed because the project wont impact the environment and will have little impact on cultural resources. There would also be no significant impact on traffic. However, a traffic signal in the area of Gate 12 is a condition of project approval.
Sources:
- Daily Bulletin: Pomona Approves Project at Fairplex
