City denies appeal, approves Motte Business Center

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The Menifee City Council on Wednesday denied an appeal by the City of Perris, paving the way for construction of a warehouse facility in the northeast part of the city.

The Motte Business Center is planned as a concrete tilt-up building covering 1.1 million square feet on a 44-acre lot. The boundaries of the center are McLaughlin Road to the south, Ethanac Road to the north, Antelope Road to the east, and Dawson Road to the west. The facility, to be located near the Ethanac freeway interchange, will include 616 auto and 284 truck-trailer parking spaces.

An Environmental Impact Report for the project was approved by the Menifee Planning Commission on Dec. 13. The City of Menifee received a letter of appeal from the City of Perris on Dec. 22.

Sarah Locklin, an attorney representing the City of Perris, told the Menifee City Council that there are deficiencies in the EIR, citing concerns about increased traffic and poor air quality that will affect its city. City of Menifee staff informed council members on Wednesday that the concerns were previously mitigated and there is no reason to grant the appeal.

Two residents of the area spoke out in favor of the project, claiming that pavement of dirt roads will improve driving in the area. The project also is supported by a local labor union, citing the positive effects of job created in the area.

“This will be a benefit to the community,” said Mayor Pro Tem Dean Deines. “The developer has done as much as he can to mitigate the impacts to the area.”

Council member Bob Karwin reminded his colleagues that the area in question was originally designed as an industrial area by Riverside County before the City of Menifee’s incorporation.

“We’ve heard from residents who want Antelope Road paved and drainage put in,” Karwin said. “No one is looking for Menifee to be all industrial. This area was designated that way.”

The motion to deny the appeal and move forward with the project passed 4-1, with council member Ricky Estrada casting the lone no vote.