I moved to the tranquil hills of Banning, CA, to find peace and escape the chaos of city life. Like many of my neighbors, I cherish this rural haven. However, the proposed development by Loma Linda University, which aims to build 2,400 homes on the Banning Bench, threatens not only our serenity but also our safety and way of life.

The Banning Bench is currently designated as a high fire hazard zone. Adding an expansive development with thousands of homes and residents will significantly increase the risk of devastating wildfires. With the ongoing concerns about climate change, we cannot afford to increase the fire risks in our area.

One of the most urgent and heartbreaking issues our community faces is the growing lack of water. When Hurricane Hilary tore through the area, it wiped out the East Fork Whitewater diversion and flume, eliminating nearly one-third of the water that once sustained us. The chances of rebuilding are slim, and even if possible, it could take years due to the flumes remote location deep in the San Gorgonio Wilderness, reachable only by a narrow dirt road.

In the meantime, our community is left to struggle with a critical and worsening water shortage, water asessments, fees and higher overall water service fees. We have even resorted to buying water to sustain our community.

Moreover, the infrastructure of Banning is not equipped to handle the surge in traffic that will inevitably come with such a massive influx of new residents. Our roads are not designed for heavy congestion, and we lack the necessary commercial amenities like stores and restaurants to support such a large population. This will lead to increased traffic on our already narrow and hilly roads, creating dangerous driving conditions and potentially increasing emergency response times.

Crime is another concern. As we know from similar developments, a rise in population can lead to an increase in crime rates, stretching our already limited law enforcement resources to the breaking point.

It's also important to consider the potential financial impact. Many similar developments have failed in our city, leaving behind unfinished structures and urban blight, further straining local resources and damaging the community’s spirit.

I urge the City of Banning and Loma Linda University to reconsider this development. Our community deserves to maintain its rural charm and the safety and quality of life that we currently enjoy. We must protect our environment and ensure that any future developments are sustainable and beneficial for all residents.

If you agree that the Mission Heights Development threatens the Banning Bench, please sign this petition. Together, we can advocate for a future that honors our past and safeguards our community.

*ONCE YOU SIGN THE PETITION IT WILL ASK FOR A MONETARY DONATION THIS IS FOR THE WEBSITE NOT FOR THIS PETITION YOU CAN CLOSE THE WINDOW WHEN YOU GET TO THAT SCREEN