If you're receiving this, you may already know that the City is exploring improvements to Almond Street to provide a connection for community evacuation and an additional public safety access point during emergencies. Our first public meeting, held in November 2024, provided background on the project, gathered initial community concerns, and identified next steps. Thank you for allowing the City time to research the ideas and questions raised at this meeting. To address common concerns, we’ve added FAQs to the project webpage, which will be updated as we continue engaging with the community.
We’d like to provide an update on two key items discussed during the meeting:
- The City was asked to consider using Turquoise Avenue as a primary evacuation route; however, this poses significant safety risks due to its proximity to flammable vegetation, making it unsuitable for safe evacuations.
- Another suggestion involved adding gates for emergency access, but the City’s development code (17.36.010 E-10) prohibits entry or exit gates to maintain connectivity and emergency access. Furthermore, gates could delay emergency response times or malfunction, further compromising safety.
The City sincerely appreciates the community’s thoughtful feedback and suggestions. While we understand that some may find these decisions disappointing, we must prioritize public safety and address the known fire risks in our area responsibly. We remain committed to working collaboratively to identify effective and responsible emergency access solutions.
Thank you for your continued engagement and support. Your input is invaluable in shaping efforts to ensure the safety and well-being of Rancho Cucamonga.