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Supervisor Rickman Standing-up for Residents
The San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors were recently updated on local developer Mike Sandhu’s GoldenState Logistics Hub development proposal on county land adjacent to south Tracy. The proposal would encompass 1,500 acres of land on predominantly prime agricultural land that is intensively farmed. Sandhu proposed using the property for logistics companies, a satellite private university campus, and commercial uses. But despite all the positive aspects about the project presented to the Supervisors, with particular attention to the university and VFW building, Supervisor Rickman had done his homework and expressed well founded skepticism.
Here's Supervisor Rickman in his own words -
"We’ve seen here in the City of Tracy, or in the Fifth District, back in 2018 and Measure M – exemption to the growth management program that we have here in Tracy – and it was talking about housing, and that failed by 78%. And that was property owned by Mr. Sandhu. Also, on Measure Y, the growth management exemption for workforce housing, it was transit oriented development, Measure Y in November 2020 and the voters again favored no with 54.9% of the vote. Some of this growth would have occurred on Mr Sandhu’s property. And, Mr Sandhu owning, I don’t know how many thousand acres he owns around Tracy, so you’re talking about precedent. So this has been tried twice, not on this magnitude, but converting agriculture lands, it has failed through the voters. If we are going to go forward, we need to include the City of Tracy, we need to include the residents and reaching out. And not after we are already in the process and spending millions of dollars. I don’t understand why the county or the developers cannot go out and speak to the voters or the residents now. Wouldn’t that save you time? At least what history has shown, residents don’t want a huge industrial or more growth or whatever it may be, shouldn’t they be the decision makers, except just these five people on this board or the developer because they have a plan and the money to do it?"
Rickman’s comments came after hearing concerns from residents who live in the proposed development area.
Neighbors voice their concerns and opposition to the Logistics Hub
Below are excerpt comments submitted to the County by residents who live in the proposed development area.
Not one of the comments submitted to the County by residents supported the project!
Sandhu’s Gun to Your Head Approach
Supervisor Rickman asked if there is no industrial component to this project, will there still be a university and VFW built? Staff responded that the development of the university and VFW Post without the industrial component made the development infeasible. The reason, as one speaker pointed out, is that the university and VFW account for only 5% of the total development. The remainder of the development is for industrial, commercial and (assumed) residential.
The industrial or “Logistics Hub” portion of the proposal is significant. It encompasses approximately 1,496 acres of the total 1,573-acre project. It anticipates developing a variety of buildings ranging from 100,000 square feet to just over 1,800,000 square feet. Buildings over 1,000,000 square feet will be targeted as ‘super-regional distribution facilities.’ In short, Sandhu’s development is an industrial project with a few other amenities!
It's worth noting that Supervisor Rickman was open about supporting a university and the VFW Post; however, he stated multiple times that he supports it as it relates to the proposed Gateway development. In fact, he stated that he and Sandhu sat down with the university folks at one point about locating the university at Gateway. It was clear he is frustrated that Gateway is no longer in play for Sandhu!
Infrastructure Issues Galore in District 5
Supervisor Rickman highlighted the significant number of infrastructure issues occurring in South San Joaquin County and Tracy without adding this proposed massive industrial development. He stressed that his office receives calls “everyday” from residents voicing frustrations regarding traffic and truck parking issues. The impacts over diesel trucks are the number one issue cited by residents. In addition, there remain water and air quality impacts that cannot be mitigated with a development of this size.
Rickman Insists Tracy Must Be Part of the Discussion
As Supervisor Rickman said multiple times, Tracy residents have loudly spoken time and time again about not wanting our city to become massive industrial parks that exacerbates problematic diesel truck traffic. While the property is in unincorporated Tracy, the impacts will be felt by Tracy residents. If south county residents and Tracy do not want this massive industrial park development, then it shouldn’t happen.
We are grateful for Supervisor Rickman standing up for Tracy. He asked all the right questions and was a strong voice for the residents. That is called leadership.