A map shows areas included in Menifee Village Specific Plan Amendment No. 7. (Courtesy of City of Menifee)
The Menifee City Council voted 4-1 Wednesday to introduce an ordinance approving changes to the Menifee Village Specific Plan that would modify land-use designations, allow higher-density housing and preserve additional open space.
Menifee Village Specific Plan Amendment No. 7 would affect several areas within the nearly 2,000-acre specific plan area, including commercial properties near Newport and Menifee roads and residential areas north of Domenigoni Parkway.
One of the biggest changes involves moving 199 previously approved but unbuilt housing units to two areas near Briggs Road and Domenigoni Parkway. Those areas would allow a combined 378 residential units, with densities ranging from eight to 14 units per acre. The housing could include condominiums or rental apartments, but the overall number of homes allowed under the specific plan would remain capped at 5,344.
The amendment would also preserve approximately 39 acres of hillside as open space while converting certain areas designated for community facilities to commercial uses. It would update development standards to align with the city’s current zoning regulations.
During the public hearing, one resident spoke against the proposal, saying previous blasting had damaged homes in the area and residents had not been compensated. He also raised concerns about traffic.
“I’m opposed to increasing the density,” he said. “I don’t think that the City of Menifee has really done enough as far as what we can do with the traffic with the population that we have now, not counting increasing condominiums or rental apartments and inducing more people.”
Applicant Ron Sullivan said the amendment would provide more housing options, particularly for younger residents who may not be able to afford larger single-family homes. He also discussed the potential benefits of the proposed commercial changes.
Councilman Dan Temple supported the amendment, pointing to the additional hillside preservation as a benefit for the city.
“I am grateful that we’re going to have about 40 acres maintained as open land and hillside that won’t be torn down, won’t be blasted,” Temple said.
Mayor Pro Tem Bob Karwin also supported the changes but acknowledged the concerns about blasting and potential damage to nearby homes.
“I would like to remind future Planning Commission and future City Council, when this comes up with an actual application, to consider what the residents are going to go through,” Karwin said.
City staff said the amendment does not approve any specific development or construction plans.
Mayor Ricky Estrada cast the opposing vote, raising concerns about the layout of the proposed open space and the conversion of land designated for community facilities to commercial use.
“I appreciate the open space suggestion, but to put high density running through the center of open space, it doesn’t stay true to the character of what I believe open space to be,” Estrada said.
He suggested looking at whether the residential areas could be rearranged to create more continuous open space. Estrada also questioned whether changing community facility land to commercial use could limit opportunities for future public facilities.
The ordinance will return to the City Council for final adoption before the changes take effect.
