Chino Hills sees a proposed NFL stadium in the city of Industry as a doubled-edged sword.
While the stadium and an adjoining shopping complex near the junction of the 57 and 60 freeways adjacent to Diamond Bar would bring more traffic to city streets, it may also mean employment opportunities for residents.
"The upside is it will bring bring good jobs to the region," Mayor Peter Rogers said.
"In regards to Chino Hills, we hope the facility they put in will not compete with shopping opportunities in Chino Hills."
City officials asked Industry in October to determine the stadium's environmental impact on Chino Hills as part of a larger environmental assessment for the proposed stadium. The request by Chino Hills has not been considered, according to city officials.A Diamond Bar attorney said the city did not take it seriously.
"We are hoping that they take into consideration our letter of concern along with the surrounding cities that are expressing their concerns and hope they will specifically address traffic concerns to the region," Chino Hills Councilwoman Gwenn Norton-Perry said.
The likely tenant in the stadium looks to be the San Diego Chargers, Norton-Perry said.
If the Chargers do move to Industry, Chino Hills would be a major crossroads for fan traffic. A large Charger fan base in San Diego and Riverside counties would use the 91 and 71 freeways as well as Grand Avenue to get to the stadium, officials said.
"The larger impacts relate to traffic and how to get there and which team will come," Norton-Perry said.
"If the logical occurs -- and that would be the San Diego Chargers -- it doesn't take a lot of science to figure out it's gonna impact those of us in San Bernardino and Riverside (counties)."
A supplemental environmental assessment on the stadium project was approved last week by the Industry City Council.
Last spring, developer Ed Roski Jr., who helped build Staples Center in Los Angeles, unveiled his plans to construct a 75,000-seat stadium and retail center.
The project has drawn opposition from Walnut and Diamond Bar officials who are concerned about traffic, helicopters, blimps, tailgating, public safety and ambiance.
Chino Hills Councilman Art Bennett said the city is taking a wait-and-see approach about the project.
"Obviously, if we have a large influx of additional traffic on game day and other events, there will be more wear and tear on city streets, and our residents will have to pay for the maintenance of the streets," Bennett said.
"That's why we're concerned about traffic mitigation if they can't find a way to keep traffic from our city roads. We really won't know until we see what really happens."
By Joe Smilor
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