Community Vision to Protect Sunset Crossroads Over Industrial Expansion
Community Vision to Protect Sunset Crossroads Over Industrial Expansion
The Issue
Banning has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to choose health, nature, and long-term community well-being—rather than more warehouses and industrial sprawl.
WHY THIS LAND MATTERS
Living near Sunset Crossroads has given many of us a deep appreciation for its natural beauty and significance. This is not just an undeveloped parcel of land—it is home to diverse wildlife, open skies, and natural quiet that supports both ecological balance and human restoration. It holds the potential to be a place where families gather for picnics, neighbors walk and connect, children play, elders move safely, and individuals find solace, reflection, and connection in nature.
For generations, communities like ours have relied on open land like this for wellness, recreation, and a sense of belonging. Yet these spaces are disappearing rapidly. Once they are gone, they cannot be reclaimed. Sunset Crossroads offers Banning a rare chance to protect values that are increasingly scarce: peace, health, biodiversity, and community connection.
WHY GREEN SPACE MATTERS FOR EVERYONE
Research consistently shows that access to green space reduces stress, supports cardiovascular and respiratory health, improves mental health outcomes, and strengthens community cohesion. Clean air, open land, natural soundscapes, and daily movement are not luxuries—they are essential components of healthy, resilient communities. Cities that prioritize these elements enjoy lower long-term healthcare costs, stronger social bonds, and improved overall quality of life.
Beyond environmental impact, industrialization overlooks a fundamental community need: inclusive, accessible spaces that support wellness for everyone. Preserving Sunset Crossroads offers the opportunity to create thoughtfully designed, handicap-accessible walkways and gathering areas where individuals of all abilities can safely walk, jog, bike, rest, and reconnect with nature. These spaces foster physical health, mental well-being, social connection, and intergenerational community life.
The Threat
This land is now at risk of being permanently transformed by large-scale industrial development. Such expansion would disrupt delicate ecosystems, fragment wildlife habitat, and eliminate one of the last remaining large, continuous open landscapes in the area. Industrial uses of this scale bring increased truck traffic, air and noise pollution, artificial lighting, and heat impacts—burdens that directly affect nearby residents and undermine long-term public health.
This site is not suitable for industrial use. We are not opposed to development of the parcel already zoned for commercial use (approx. 47.9 acres), which could bring much-needed retail to the community. However, it is concerning that the remainder of the land, currently zoned residential, would be sacrificed for industrial development to accommodate a small portion of commercial space. The proposed anchor tenant has not been publically confirmed, and it is unclear whether it would meet the community’s needs. Approving a large industrial footprint for the sake of potential commercial benefit raises important questions about whether the project aligns with long-term planning goals, neighborhood compatibility, and land-use integrity.
A CALL FOR INTENTIONAL PROGRESS
Banning has the opportunity to lead with foresight and become a wellness-centered community—one designed around proven factors that support longevity, physical health, social connection, and quality of life. Preserving Sunset Crossroads would be an investment in livability, long-term community health, and a positive civic legacy.
This is not a call to stop progress. It is a call to choose intentional progress—development that honors people, land, and future generations rather than sacrificing irreplaceable natural systems for short-term gain.
Join us in urging the City of Banning to protect Sunset Crossroads from industrial development and preserve it for public health, wildlife conservation, and community wellness.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Sign this petition to choose health, nature, and community over unnecessary industrial expansion—and to help create a legacy of stewardship, balance, and ecological responsibility for generations to come.
Action Items :
- Sign, comment and share this petition. Protect Sunset Crossroads
- Join the Facebook Group
- Express your interest in participating in a referendum here.
- Spread the word.
Please note the SCSP project has been modified multiple times and there are NO known documents that include the entire SCSP proposal as it stands, as of 3/10/2026.
STAY INFORMED
For detailed info about the current industrial proposal check out the City of Banning website:
Banning City - Sunset Crossroads Specific Plan Main Page: Last updated 9/2025
North Points Original Plan Sunset Crossroads Specific Plan: Last Updated 9/2024
Justification of EIR Assessment of CEQA Findings & Statement of Overriding Considerations: Last Updated 9/2025
City Agendas : Look for Agenda Packet Link for Next Date
January 28th, 2026
Staff Report for Rezone of MSJC
February 26th, 2026
Staff Report for Rezone of MSJC
March 10th, 2026
Staff Report for Rezone of MSJC
March 24th, 2026
Staff Report for Rezone of MSJC
Overview of the SCSP
The current project as it stands today 3/23/26 is below. I will update as more info comes in.
SCSP Fact Sheet
Land Use and Zoning
Red lines below indicate property included in the SCSP proposal. Northern parcel is in the city of Banning and zoned as residential and commercial. The southern parcel is zoned as residential and is part of Unincorporated Riverside County. This will be annexed into the city with this proposal. All zoning except the top right (NE) parcel that is currently zoned as commercial, will be rezoned from residential to industrial.
Site Plan
The photo below was taken at the 3/10/2026 meeting. This image was not provided to the public in any format besides what you see here. As soon as I see an update digital or paper copy of this land and project proposal, I will update it for clarity. Please note small parcel located on the NE corner near Sunset and Westward Ave may be rezoned as commercial but that was not in the staff report provided on 3/10/26.
Thank you for your interest in protecting sunset crossroads.
If you'd like to stay connected, I will send updates from change.org and you can fill out your interest in a possible referendum here.
513
The Issue
Banning has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to choose health, nature, and long-term community well-being—rather than more warehouses and industrial sprawl.
WHY THIS LAND MATTERS
Living near Sunset Crossroads has given many of us a deep appreciation for its natural beauty and significance. This is not just an undeveloped parcel of land—it is home to diverse wildlife, open skies, and natural quiet that supports both ecological balance and human restoration. It holds the potential to be a place where families gather for picnics, neighbors walk and connect, children play, elders move safely, and individuals find solace, reflection, and connection in nature.
For generations, communities like ours have relied on open land like this for wellness, recreation, and a sense of belonging. Yet these spaces are disappearing rapidly. Once they are gone, they cannot be reclaimed. Sunset Crossroads offers Banning a rare chance to protect values that are increasingly scarce: peace, health, biodiversity, and community connection.
WHY GREEN SPACE MATTERS FOR EVERYONE
Research consistently shows that access to green space reduces stress, supports cardiovascular and respiratory health, improves mental health outcomes, and strengthens community cohesion. Clean air, open land, natural soundscapes, and daily movement are not luxuries—they are essential components of healthy, resilient communities. Cities that prioritize these elements enjoy lower long-term healthcare costs, stronger social bonds, and improved overall quality of life.
Beyond environmental impact, industrialization overlooks a fundamental community need: inclusive, accessible spaces that support wellness for everyone. Preserving Sunset Crossroads offers the opportunity to create thoughtfully designed, handicap-accessible walkways and gathering areas where individuals of all abilities can safely walk, jog, bike, rest, and reconnect with nature. These spaces foster physical health, mental well-being, social connection, and intergenerational community life.
The Threat
This land is now at risk of being permanently transformed by large-scale industrial development. Such expansion would disrupt delicate ecosystems, fragment wildlife habitat, and eliminate one of the last remaining large, continuous open landscapes in the area. Industrial uses of this scale bring increased truck traffic, air and noise pollution, artificial lighting, and heat impacts—burdens that directly affect nearby residents and undermine long-term public health.
This site is not suitable for industrial use. We are not opposed to development of the parcel already zoned for commercial use (approx. 47.9 acres), which could bring much-needed retail to the community. However, it is concerning that the remainder of the land, currently zoned residential, would be sacrificed for industrial development to accommodate a small portion of commercial space. The proposed anchor tenant has not been publically confirmed, and it is unclear whether it would meet the community’s needs. Approving a large industrial footprint for the sake of potential commercial benefit raises important questions about whether the project aligns with long-term planning goals, neighborhood compatibility, and land-use integrity.
A CALL FOR INTENTIONAL PROGRESS
Banning has the opportunity to lead with foresight and become a wellness-centered community—one designed around proven factors that support longevity, physical health, social connection, and quality of life. Preserving Sunset Crossroads would be an investment in livability, long-term community health, and a positive civic legacy.
This is not a call to stop progress. It is a call to choose intentional progress—development that honors people, land, and future generations rather than sacrificing irreplaceable natural systems for short-term gain.
Join us in urging the City of Banning to protect Sunset Crossroads from industrial development and preserve it for public health, wildlife conservation, and community wellness.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Sign this petition to choose health, nature, and community over unnecessary industrial expansion—and to help create a legacy of stewardship, balance, and ecological responsibility for generations to come.
Action Items :
- Sign, comment and share this petition. Protect Sunset Crossroads
- Join the Facebook Group
- Express your interest in participating in a referendum here.
- Spread the word.
Please note the SCSP project has been modified multiple times and there are NO known documents that include the entire SCSP proposal as it stands, as of 3/10/2026.
STAY INFORMED
For detailed info about the current industrial proposal check out the City of Banning website:
Banning City - Sunset Crossroads Specific Plan Main Page: Last updated 9/2025
North Points Original Plan Sunset Crossroads Specific Plan: Last Updated 9/2024
Justification of EIR Assessment of CEQA Findings & Statement of Overriding Considerations: Last Updated 9/2025
City Agendas : Look for Agenda Packet Link for Next Date
January 28th, 2026
Staff Report for Rezone of MSJC
February 26th, 2026
Staff Report for Rezone of MSJC
March 10th, 2026
Staff Report for Rezone of MSJC
March 24th, 2026
Staff Report for Rezone of MSJC
Overview of the SCSP
The current project as it stands today 3/23/26 is below. I will update as more info comes in.
SCSP Fact Sheet
Land Use and Zoning
Red lines below indicate property included in the SCSP proposal. Northern parcel is in the city of Banning and zoned as residential and commercial. The southern parcel is zoned as residential and is part of Unincorporated Riverside County. This will be annexed into the city with this proposal. All zoning except the top right (NE) parcel that is currently zoned as commercial, will be rezoned from residential to industrial.
Site Plan
The photo below was taken at the 3/10/2026 meeting. This image was not provided to the public in any format besides what you see here. As soon as I see an update digital or paper copy of this land and project proposal, I will update it for clarity. Please note small parcel located on the NE corner near Sunset and Westward Ave may be rezoned as commercial but that was not in the staff report provided on 3/10/26.
Thank you for your interest in protecting sunset crossroads.
If you'd like to stay connected, I will send updates from change.org and you can fill out your interest in a possible referendum here.
513
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
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Petition created on January 6, 2026