Two parties file appeals of Crossroads project approval

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The developer of the proposed Crossroads project and the owner of a commercial center across the street have both filed appeals of the Menifee Planning Commission’s approval of the project with the condition of a raised median.

The Crossroads project is proposed to be built on nine acres of vacant land at the northeast corner of Newport Road and Bradley Road. Both parties’ objection concerns the City of Menifee’s requirement of a raised median on Bradley Road – a requirement that is not in the City’s General Plan.

Not included in the original plans for the project, a raised median was first mentioned in later comments memos by City engineers, citing safety concerns. But a median is not required on Bradley Road – the road proposed for the median. A September 2020 City memo to the applicant states that Bradley Road is classified in the General Plan as a Secondary Road. What is not included is the fact that in the General Plan section C-2, a Secondary Road calls for only a painted median, not a raised median. In addition, Exhibit C-3 of the General Plan shows that section of Bradley Road as a Secondary Road (undivided).

Although the applicant originally agreed to construction of the Bradley Road median, that stance changed after the owner of Newport Plaza – which has a driveway entrance across the street on Bradley Road – threatened legal action. The owner of that longtime center – which includes Pitstop Pub, Giovanni’s, Carnitas Express and a tire store – maintains that blockage of that driveway by a raised median would greatly impact business in Newport Plaza.

Despite testimony to that effect by both Newport Plaza ownership and the Crossroads applicant, the Planning Commission approved the project with the median, as reccommended by City staff. Kassen Klein, a consultant representing the Crossroads project, asked that the commission deny the project unless the median requirement was removed. Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the project, however – leaving the project in doubt.

This week, Kassen Klein Consulting filed an appeal to the City Council on behalf of the crossroads applicant, according to a City news release. A public hearing will be held during the Nov. 17 City Council meeting to address the appeal.

The appeal asks the that project be approved only upon removal or modification of the following conditions:

-- The raised median.

-- Installation of license plate recognition cameras.

-- Reconstruction and resurfacing on Newport Road, Bradley Road, and Park Avenue.

-- Additional improvements on Park Avenue.

Menifee Crossroads is proposed as a 103,274-square-foot center that would include a specialty grocer (tenant not yet announced), a Denny’s restaurant, two retail shop structures and two office space structures.

In its own appeal of the Planning Commission’s ruling, ownership of Newport Plaza stated no objection to construction of the Crossroads – only the raised median.

“Although 26900 Newport, Inc. generally supports growth and development in the City of Menifee, it is compelled to appeal the proposed Crossroads Project due to the fact that it will seriously impede access to Newport Plaza,” states that appeal, a copy of which was obtained by Menifee 24/7.

“26900 Newport, Inc. previously submitted concerns and objections to the proposed Crossroads Project in advance of the August 25, 2021 and October 27, 2021 Planning Commission hearings on the Project. Despite the fact that these concerns remained unaddressed, the Planning Commission approved the Crossroads Project in violation of the City's own General Plan and the California Environmental Quality Act ("CEQA").

Parties filing appeals of such decisions typically are charged a fee by the City in which the appeal is filed. Menifee 24/7 has learned that each party paid a $2,700 fee to file its appeal.

The council meeting during which the public hearing will be held will start a 6 p.m. on Nov. 17 at City Hall, 29844 Haun Road in Menifee.