Golden Meadows plan sent back to Planning Commission

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The Menifee City Council on Wednesday delayed a ruling on proposed additional homes for the Golden Meadows project, sending the amendment back to the Planning Commission for further consideration.

That motion passed unanimously, in essence replacing City staff’s recommended action of denying the amendment requested by developer Richland Planned Communities, Inc. Such a denial would have upheld the Planning Commission’s Feb. 8 denial of a request to build an additional 98 homes with smaller lots in phase 4 of the project.

The project, which was approved by Riverside County in 2007 before Menifee’s incorporation, is currently an open field in a rural southwest portion of the city. The area is adjacent to acres of ranches zoned Rural Residential and is one of the largest open fields still undeveloped in Menifee.

The project was originally planned for 474 single family lots on 205 acres bordered by Garbani Road to the north, Haun Road to the west, Evans Road to the east, and Wickerd Road to the south – the last two being dirt roads.

Wednesday’s public hearing drew a large crowd, which included public comments against the amendment by nine residents living near the project site. They expressed concern over the additional traffic and disruption of the area’s rural feel, should the amendment be approved.

The current plan for phase 4 calls for 161 residential lots, with minimum lot sizes of 6,000 square feet. The amendment would include 259 lots, with minimum lot sizes reduced to 3,780 square feet.

“We thank Richland for listening to us,” resident Dave Brown said in reference to meetings Richland held previously with concerned home owners. “In 2007, the County Planning Commission denied this project and the Board of Supervisors overturned the decision. We voted for [city incorporation] so we would have a say in matters like this.

“Would you have approved this project had you not inherited it? I ask you to trust the recommendation of your colleagues on the Planning Commission and deny this amendment.”

Although acknowledging that the project would be built regardless of the proposed amendment, residents repeatedly expressed concern for the entire project – especially over additional traffic of cars traveling on dirt roads bordering the area.

“The area is an accident waiting to happen,” said resident Janelle Fitzgerald. “Most of us know how to drive on dirt roads. It’s not us creating the problem, it’s the parents rushing to drive their kids to school.”

“I think it’s a great project somewhere, just not in our area,” resident Craig Gruber said. “It’s just not compatible with our neighborhood.”

Once public testimony was completed, council members Bob Karwin and Ricky Estrada expressed similar concerns and said they planned to vote to support the Planning Commission’s denial of the project. The tone of the discussion changed, however when council member Lesa Sobek suggested delaying the decision to allow Richland and city officials more time to discuss revisions to the plan.

“The applicant stated that if it were denied, they be allowed to come back for further discussion,” Sobek said. “I don’t want to make a hasty decision. I’d like to know what else can be done to solve this.”

After more discussion, Karwin made a motion that the request be remanded to the Planning Commission, which has not heard additional benefits promised by Richland, including:

-- A 4-foot all-weather pedestrian walkway on Garbani Road, making the route safer for children walking to Menifee Valley Middle School.

-- A higher priority during the permit process for the new traffic signal at Wickerd Road and Haun Road.

-- Extension of an equestrian trail into one of the promised parks.

-- Installation of a water tank to serve the area.