Commission approves warehouse project in north Menifee

By Doug Spoon, Editor

A commerce center that is estimated to bring 300 jobs to Menifee was approved last week by the Planning Commission.

The facility will be constructed on the southwest corner of Mapes Road and Sherman Road. Plans call for a concrete tilt-up building of approximately 277,578 square feet, which includes 267,578 square feet of warehousing and 10,000 feet of office space on a 13.34-acre site. The building will have a maximum height of 51 feet and will include 36 dock doors.

According to Nick Fidler, city public works director, truck traffic will not be allowed on Sherman road. Trucks will travel west on Mapes Road and south on Trumble Road to access the 215 Freeway. The site is just south of the Field of Dreams baseball complex.

Two representatives of the Laborers International Union spoke in favor of the project at the public hearing. There were no speakers opposed to the project.

“This area has long been designated for this kind of project,” said commissioner Benjamin Diederich in support of the plan. Commissioner Chris Thomas noted that the project had a wide setback from the roadway and adjacent homes on Sherman Road.

One concern raised by chairman Jeff LaDue was the anticipated removal of a row of trees lining Sherman Road.

“I feel like the residents have benefitted from what they are looking at,” LaDue said. “You take those trees out and they head out of their driveways looking at this huge building.”

The applicant said he would be willing to consult with homeowners to determine whether they wished additional trees to be placed near their property. That agreement was included as a condition of approval.

The applicant also said he would increase outreach efforts to educate neighboring residents about the project.