Aryana Noroozi
A warehouse and infrastructure project near San Bernardino International Airport has been scrapped following months of community pushback and a lawsuit challenging the plan.
The Inland Valley Development Agency (IVDA) board voted on September 10, to abandon the Inland Valley Infrastructure Corridor Project (IVIC). Opponents argued the project would have displaced residents, demolished affordable housing, and expanded industrial development in neighborhoods across Highland and San Bernardino.
The decision comes less than six months after the People’s Collective for Environmental Justice Action (PC4EJ) filed a lawsuit alleging that IVDA violated the California Environmental Quality Act. The suit claimed the agency relied on a flawed environmental review that understated risks to local communities.
“If this project had gone forward, it would’ve put our children, elders, and families at greater risk,” said Alberto Hernandez, a Highland resident, in a statement released by PC4EJ. “Today’s vote is a relief, but it’s also a reminder that we’ve had to fight too many times to protect what should’ve been protected from the start.”
This marks the second time in two years the IVDA has backed away from major redevelopment plans near the airport. In 2024, the agency abandoned its “Airport Gateway Specific Plan” following criticism from residents and the California Attorney General’s office. If approved, this project also would have designated residential neighborhoods north of San Bernardino International Airport for warehouse, industrial, and commercial development.
Community advocates say the repeated attempts highlight the need for early public input.
“This vote is a win for environmental justice, but it shouldn’t have taken three rounds of community resistance to get here,” said Brenda Huerta Soto, a board member of PC4EJ Action. “We urge the IVDA board to commit to meaningful engagement moving forward.”
The lawsuit, filed by PCE4J in April, argued that the IVDA’s Environmental Impact Report failed to meet CEQA’s standards and relied on conclusions “unsupported by substantial evidence.”
With the IVIC proposal canceled, advocates say the focus should now shift toward planning that prioritizes the health and stability of neighborhoods surrounding the airport.