San Bernardino officials heard a detailed planning presentation and hours of public comment Tuesday on proposed truck-route designations and warehouse development standards intended to bring the city into compliance with California’s AB 98.

City planning staff said the effort began in 2023 and the route study was completed in 2024. The proposal contains two parts: formal adoption of truck routes and updated development standards for warehouses, with a compliance target of Jan. 1, 2026. Staff described an Option A that mirrors the pattern approved by the planning commission and an Option B that would remove some local connectors to better protect neighborhoods.

The planner told the council the city cannot entirely prevent trucks from accessing businesses for deliveries, but that designated routes, added signage and coordinated enforcement would guide through-traffic to freeways and away from residential corridors.

Residents who spoke during public comment urged stricter limits. “We need to protect our neighborhoods,” said Dolores Amstead, citing Highland, Baseline and Mill Street as routes that already experience heavy truck activity and air-quality impacts. Other commenters described trucks parked overnight on residential streets, near schools, and raised concerns about road damage and noise.

Councilmembers pressed staff for more precise maps, engineering checks on tight turning radii near freeway ramps and clearer labeling of existing warehouses that generate truck trips. Staff agreed to return with revised maps and corrections to dates and report language requested by the council.

The item remains before the council for further action; staff recommended adopting a refined map and an implementation plan that includes signage, public outreach and inter-jurisdictional coordination with adjacent cities and county roads authorities.