Planning commission approves 'much-needed' new industrial complex in Indio

*The site is located at the southwest corner of Indio Boulevard and Madio Street just south of Interstate 10.*

The Indio Planning Commission unanimously approved plans on Wednesday for a 36,700-square-foot industrial complex that will house 10 separate business units at the southwest corner of Indio Boulevard and Madio Street just south of Interstate 10.

The multi-tenant industrial building will offer units ranging from about 2,000 square feet to 5,500 square feet on a 2.93-acre portion of the 6.28-acre site owned by Joe Zucherro. Polo Doria of Lee & Associates, representing Zucherro, said the project aims to provide flexible space for small businesses needing to expand within the Coachella Valley.

“We’re taking that same pattern and trying to mimic that, to offer smaller spaces on a highly busy street, which is very attractive for small tenants,” Doria told commissioners, referencing a similar project built 20 years ago at Madison and Indio Boulevard that has remained fully occupied.

The project includes 10 loading docks, 98 parking spaces, landscaping and underground stormwater retention systems. The development will also require the property to be subdivided into two parcels, with the existing 26,960-square-foot industrial building remaining on a separate 3.35-acre parcel.

Zucherro originally built the site 17 years ago for Calply, a drywall distribution company he owned. After selling the business, he retained the property with plans to eventually develop the front portion when market conditions became favorable.

Vice-Chairperson Gloria Franz praised the project, saying “As a city, we do not have enough commercial, light industrial properties, so this is very much needed here,” she said. “You’ve been in this business for a long time. I think this is very much needed in the city of Indio, the location is probably absolutely close to perfect, based on everything that’s around it.

*Early renderings for the planned 36,700 building with space for 10 tenants. (Rendering: Goodway Design and Drafting)*

No specific tenants have been identified for the new building. Doria said his firm has engaged two brokerage companies to market the space to both retail users and light industrial businesses over the past six months.

“It is hard to plan for two years out,” Doria said. “We look at supply and demand right now, we look at all the other tenant bases, we look at the population, canvas all the tenants, find out who wants to grow and try and figure out who can be there in two years from now.”

The Planning Commission’s approval includes a recommendation to the City Council for the property subdivision. Construction could begin within 12 to 14 months, with completion expected approximately one year after groundbreaking, according to Doria.

City staff added conditions requiring the installation of palm trees along the street frontages and decorative rock landscaping to enhance the visual appeal of the development along Indio Boulevard.