A site previously prepared for an apartment complex in 2008 will serve as the base for a new residential project that will go before the Menifee Planning Commission on Oct. 14.
The Kensington Project is designed by developer WD Land as an apartment complex on 20 acres at the southern end of Bavaria Drive. The site is located just east of the 215 Freeway between McCall Boulevard to the north and Newport Road to the south. The project proposes a residential subdivision of 160 condominium units of two types – detached single-family bungalows and attached duplexes.
The site was previously graded and laid out in plots with paved roads at the end of Bavaria Road, just north of a hillside. According to the City of Menifee’s public notice about the public hearing, “The proposed project will utilize previously constructed improvements where possible, including internal street improvements and retention basins.”
Plans for an apartment project for that site were approved by the County of Riverside in 2006, said Phil Southard, communications director for the City of Menifee. A developer proceeded with mass grading and construction of the site utilities/infrastructure in early 2008, but construction was halted in 2009 during the economic downturn.
In October 2009, the newly established Menifee City Council approved a General Plan Amendment and Plot Plan revision to increase the number of apartments from 148 to 221 units. Construction never resumed, however, and the site remained vacant until a new developer came along.
Kensington will be a private gated community with 2-car garage parking for each unit and 95 on-street parking spaces. Plans include a central pool amenity and tot lot area with additional pocket parks.
According to the public notice for the Oct. 14 public hearing, the City’s Community Development Department determined that the project does not require additional environmental analysis.
“A detailed 15183 CEQA Exemption Checklist with technical appendices was prepared in an effort to support the City’s determination,” the notice states.
“The General Plan EIR analyzed the environmental impacts associated with buildout of the City of Menifee’s 2013 General Plan. As discussed herein, the proposed project is consistent with the land use designation and development assumptions analyzed in the General Plan EIR. The project site is designated as Medium-High Density Residential (8.1-14 du/ac). The proposed project would develop 160 single-family residential attached/detached units, which would result in a density of approximately 8.12 dwelling units per acre, which remains consistent with the assumptions of the General Plan EIR.”
The public notice also states the following:
Any person wishing to comment on the proposed project may do so in writing between the date of this notice and the public hearing and be heard at the time and place noted above (6 p.m. on Oct. 14 City Hall). All comments must be received prior to the time of public hearing. All such comments will be submitted to the Planning Commission, and the Planning Commission will consider such comments, in addition to any oral testimony, before making a decision on the proposed project.
If this project is challenged in court, the issues may be limited to those raised at the public hearing, described in this notice, or in written correspondence delivered to the Planning Commission at, or prior to, the public hearing. Be advised that as a result of public hearings and comment, the Planning Commission may amend, in whole or in part, the proposed project. Accordingly, the designations, development standards, design or improvements, or any properties or lands within the boundaries of the proposed project, may be changed in a way other than specifically proposed.
For further information regarding this project, please contact Russell Brown at 951-723-3745 or e-mail rbrown@menifee.ca.gov, or go to the City of Menifee’s agenda web page at http://www.menifee.ca.gov. To view the case file for the proposed project, contact the Community Development Department office at 951-672-6777 Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please send all written correspondence to:
CITY OF MENIFEE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Attn: Russell Brown, Senior Planner
29844 Haun Road
Menifee, CA 92584
