The Riverside City Council voted 6-1 Tuesday to approve a controversial mixed-use development at the former Sears site. The council overruled recommendations from the county airport land use commission that deemed the project incompatible with nearby Riverside Municipal Airport.
The project by developer Foulger Pratt will include 388 residential units and 25,320 square feet of commercial space, currently planned as an ALDI grocery store, on the 17.37-acre site at Arlington and Streeter Avenues. Approving the project required the City Council to amend the general plan, rezone the property, and issue a certificate of appropriateness to demolish the vacant Sears building.
"This project is transformational to my ward in particular," said Councilmember Steve Robillard, who represents Ward 3, where the project is planned. "We talk about crime, homelessness, damage to property values. That's what's happening right now."
In January 2023, the Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission found the project inconsistent with its compatibility plan for Riverside Municipal Airport, citing concerns about residential density and building heights in airport safety zones. The site is located about a mile from the end of the airport's main runway.
Several pilots and aviation business owners urged the council to heed the Commission's determination, warning that allowing dense residential development in aircraft approach paths could jeopardize safety and the airport's future.
"Placing high-density housing on final or departing paths creates more opportunity for horrible things to occur," said Drew Peterson, a pilot at Riverside Airport.
However, supporters, including the Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce, argued the project would revitalize a blighted property and help address the city's housing needs.
"We would very much like to see that property be redeveloped into something that will be a highlight for the business community, a highlight for the residents, and the highlight for those that will find new homes there," said Nicholas Adcock, president and CEO of the chamber.
The council's decision to overrule the airport commission required adopting findings that the project would not affect the airport's orderly expansion and that it minimizes exposure to safety hazards. City staff said surrounding areas already exceed the density standards and that the project incorporates safety measures.
Councilmember Clarissa Cervantes cast the lone dissenting vote, citing concerns about overruling multiple agencies' recommendations and potential liability.
"I can't sleep at night personally if I were to support this and to know if there were an accident, that we overruled all of these documents where everyone was telling us that this is not what you should be doing," Cervantes said.
The city's Cultural Heritage Board had recommended denying permission to demolish the Sears building, which was found eligible for historic designation. The developer incorporated design elements to pay homage to the modern structure of the mid-century.
"We went 100% mid-century modern to honor the historical stylings of the Sears building," said Jamie Chapman of Foulger Pratt.
The developer said they plan to apply for demolition permits as soon as possible to begin work on the long-vacant site.
