Still no theater in Menifee, but the owls don't give a hoot

Burrowing owls have been sighted in open fields in Menifee. Photo by Peggy Hughes

By Doug Spoon, Editor

Believe it or not, the owner of Krikorian Premiere Theaters is down to his last couple details before beginning construction of a theater complex in the mostly vacant Menifee Town Center. But rather than having a final hurdle to leap over, he has to go underground instead.

Before George Krikorian can break ground on his massive entertainment complex on Newport Road, the ground must first be surveyed for the presence of a certain protected animal species. And if any owls poke their heads out of the holes in that grassy, open field, it must first be moving day for the little creatures.

There are two protected species that are subject to state-mandated environmental study before construction projects can begin in this part of California. Any potential impact on the kangaroo rat already has been mitigated. But before Krikorian can put shovels in the ground, a burrowing owl study must be conducted and approved.

Burrowing owls are fairly widespread in western North America. These owls find abandoned burrows made by ground squirrels, prairie dogs or other small mammals, then nest there. You may have seen an owl’s head poke out of a burrow in one of the many open fields in Menifee. The burrowing owl population has declined, however, leading to their designation as a protected species in California.

“We are entering their mating season, and at certain times you will find them in their nests,” said Gina Gonzalez, City of Menifee Economic Development Director, who has weekly meetings with Krikorian about the project. “If they find burrowing owls there, they must be relocated before the project can begin.”

According to Gonzalez, the burrowing owl study takes 2-3 weeks to complete. She said she expects to learn this week when Krikorian will pay for the study to begin. Typically, this study is one of the last things done before groundbreaking, she said. Once the study is approved, the developer has only 30 days to break ground or an amended study must follow.

Gonzalez said Krikorian will receive city staff’s comments on the third plan check for the project this week. None of the plan check comments should result in a significant delay, she said. Then it would be time to start looking for those burrowing owls.

“Once he gets feedback from staff, it would behoove him to move forward,” Gonzalez said. “He has submitted landscape plans, and that shouldn’t hold up the building project. He’s very close, and he is steadfast about getting in the ground soon.”

Krikorian was traveling out of state and promised to respond to a reporter’s questions this week. In an email correspondence with Menifee 24/7 March 28, Krikorian said “we expect to begin grading shortly.”

That comment was made the day after construction fences were put back up around the property on Newport Road, where Krikorian plans to build a 12-screen theater complex including a bowling alley, sports bar and gaming area. Gonzalez said the placement of those fences is an indication that final approvals are being made on utility work required for the project.

The project was first approved by the Menifee Planning Commission in June 2017, although it had been talked about long before that. As the site continued to sit vacant, a sign promising the project was “coming soon” was the butt of jokes by residents. But although Krikorian’s additional purchase of land there for retail space caused a delay with the submittal of additional plans, the project has always been an active one in the City planning department, Gonzalez said.

“We are working closely together to get through some items to quickly get him in the ground,” Gonzalez said.

If the final plan checks are as routine as expected and the burrowing owl study begins promptly, it is estimated that groundbreaking would take place in the next 30-60 days.

An architect's graphic shows what the exterior of the theater complex might look like.