City issues yet another demolition notice to Krikorian

Fire destroyed one of the retail buildings on the Krikorian property on Jan. 5. (File photo)

By Doug Spoon, Editor

The City of Menifee will try once again to eliminate the incomplete Krikorian Theater and retail store structures, beginning with a public hearing set for June 5.

In a public notice posted this week, the City said that “Based on the results of a comprehensive property inspection, the lack of progress by the property owner to both adequately secure the site and ensure public safety and address the substandard conditions on the property, and in conformance with Menifee Municipal Code Section 11.20.130, staff recommends that the City Council adopt a resolution that both declares the property a public nuisance and orders the owner to – within 30 days -- abate the nuisance conditions by (1) demolishing all remaining structures on the property (including foundation, etc.); (2) removing all debris and building materials, supplies, and equipment from the property; and (3) properly securing the property to ensure that unauthorized individuals cannot enter.”

The site on Newport Road in the center of town has been the subject of concern since construction was stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. Owner George Krikorian claimed a loss of funding at that time, and he was also involved in a legal battle with contractors that continues (a trial is set for Nov. 8).

Meanwhile, the City has issued several citations against the property. More than once, the City has issued a deadline to improve or demolish the structures – action Krikorian has either appealed or ignored.

This is the first public action taken by the City since last November, when it declared the property a public nuisance and notified Krikorian he must tear down the existing structures within two weeks. Again, Krikorian took no action in response to the threat. His building permits have expired, so he would have to re-apply to resume construction.

In the interim, one of the retail buildings that was part of the project burned down in a fire last January. The foam block walls on the theater site were not affected, but they have been shored up more than once.

"For the last several months, the City of Menifee has been actively engaged in a formal legal process under the City’s Municipal Code to compel the property owner to remove the existing unfinished structures based on code enforcement violations that create a public nuisance in our community,” the City stated in a press release at that time. “That process will continue moving forward to address the remaining structures on the property.”

Any person wishing to comment on the proposed action may do so in writing before the public hearing, which is set for 6 p.m. on June 5 at City Hall. All such comments will be submitted to the City Council, and the City Council will consider such comments, in addition to any oral testimony, before making a decision on the proposed action.

For further information regarding this project, contact Craig Carlson, Building Official, at 951-723-3729 or e-mail ccarlson@cityofmenifee.us, or go to the City of Menifee’s agenda web page at http://www.cityofmenifee.us.

Please send all written correspondence to:
CITY OF MENIFEE
Building & Safety Division
Attn: Craig Carlson, Building Official
29844 Haun Road
Menifee, CA 92586