City Council approves expansion to Villagio Apartments

By Doug Spoon, Editor

An expansion of the Villagio Apartments on Encanto Drive was approved Wednesday by the Menifee City Council.

The project adds 24 units to the complex, which already has two two-story buildings. The two-story addition will be built on a .82-acre parcel between the back of the complex and a wall separating it from the 215 Freeway.

Six of the units will be classified as low-income housing, per the original agreement between the owner and the City. After discussion among council members, an amendment was made to the agreement to give priority in the remaining units to seniors 62 and older.

“We need to consider an age restriction,” said council member Lesa Sobek, starting the discussion that led to the amendment. “I hear from a lot of seniors who are looking for affordable housing. The waiting list is about 200 people.”

Council member Bob Karwin expressed concern about placing more restrictions on the extra units than just the six designated as low income. The eventual amendment was reached as a sort of compromise.

A few of the existing parking spaces and some landscaping will be removed to accommodate the expansion. There will be 235 parking spaces in all once the expansion is complete, but some residents of the addition may have to park in the older section of the complex.

The proposal passed 4-1, with Ricky Estrada casting the lone dissenting vote.