The Menifee Planning Commission voted Wednesday to postpone a recommendation on the proposed Boulders II development, giving the developer additional time to address concerns raised by commissioners and residents.
The project will return Oct. 14 as the developer works with city staff on issues including parking, security, construction impacts, fire safety and concerns surrounding the proposed road through Spirit Park.
Boulders II is a proposed 240-unit multifamily development on approximately 10 acres north of Newport Road and east of Berea Road. The project would require a General Plan amendment and zone change to allow up to 24 dwelling units per acre.
The proposed road through Spirit Park would provide a second access point to the development and remove approximately one-tenth of an acre of passive park space. The developer has proposed two public dog parks east of the road to help offset the impact.
The road drew concerns from the Menifee Parks, Recreation and Trails Commission during its Sept. 3 meeting. Commissioners deferred a decision on the project’s Quimby assessment, saying the proposed dog parks did not adequately make up for the loss of parkland and raising concerns about safety and the loss of passive open space.
During Wednesday’s meeting, staff also clarified that the entire project site is within a very high fire hazard severity zone.
Several residents strongly opposed the project and described problems they said have occurred since Boulders I was built.
Irene Hjelmervik, who lives near the project, described construction of Boulders I as “nothing short of a nightmare” and said dust from the project accumulated around her home and backyard.
Patrick Murphy, an eight-year resident who said he frequently uses Spirit Park, said he opposed both the density of the project and the proposed road through the park.
“The density is too high,” Murphy said. “I don’t know anywhere else in Menifee where they have such a density of homes and cars.”
Murphy also said traffic already backs up near Berea and Normandy roads and questioned whether the proposed dog parks would be useful enough to offset the loss of park space.
Cory Rokus, who lives nearby, raised concerns about parking, traffic and safety in the neighborhood since Boulders I opened.
“The parking situation is atrocious. It’s starting to overflow onto Dorval,” Rokus said. “It’s not safe for any kids riding bikes up and down the street anymore, like it used to be.”
Developer Rich Wilson said the project’s proposed density is similar to what had previously been allowed on the site and said the developer has worked with the city as plans for access to the property have changed.
Wilson acknowledged there had been dust during construction of Boulders I and said the developer had cleaned some residents’ pools and solar panels. He said the company could do a better job controlling dust during construction of Boulders II.
He also disputed some of the concerns about criminal activity attributed to Boulders I, saying the property has private security that patrols overnight.
Commissioners said they wanted more information before making a recommendation to the city council. They asked the developer to work with staff on stronger dust-control measures, obtain police call data for Boulders I and consider additional security measures, address parking along Berea Road, the condition of walls separating the development from existing homes and an acceptable way to offset the loss of parkland.
Commissioner Michael Knighten recused himself from the item out of an abundance of caution because he lives near the project site.
