Planning Commission - Regular Meeting

regards to the groundwater in lieu program. Should have made that comment prior to the motion.

Voting. No, it is. Okay, we confirm. All right, I pass. Okay, we will now move on to item 6A for a public hearing on tentative track map parcel number 39029. May we have presentation from staff, please?

Good evening, Mr. Chairman, members of the Planning Commission, Jordan Walton, Associate Planner with the Community Development Department. Tonight for your consideration is tentative parcel map 39029, otherwise known as map 24-004, or two, excuse me. This project aligns with goals one, three, and five of the strategic plan integration. The applicant and the property owner for this project is College Station LLC, and the project is also located at the southwest corner of Stetson Avenue and Sanderson Avenue in the Page Plaza neighborhood. The applicant is requesting approval of a tentative parcel map to subdivide one parcel into two lots in the Plage Plaza Shopping Center. The purpose of the parcel map is to subdivide the space containing the existing O'Reilly's Auto Parts and the vacant commercial pad adjacent to Planet Fitness. This subdivision is intended to enhance the marketability of the site for future development purposes. ADDITIONALLY, THE PLANNING COMMISSION IS ALSO AUTHORIZED TO REVIEW, APPROVE, CONDITIONALLY APPROVE OR DENY TENTATIVE PARCEL MAPS FOR SUBDIVISIONS PREPARED AND FILED PERSUADING TO HEMINGWAY MUNICIPAL CODE SECTION CHAPTER 70 AND THE SUBDIVISION MAP ACT. HERE IS A ZONING MAP FOR THE PARCEL. AGAIN, THIS IS ZONED PAGE COMMUNITY PLAZA AND THE PAGE COMMUNITY, PAGE PLAZA SPECIFIC PLANT. Here is the general plan designation as community commercial in the city of Hemet. And then this is an aerial view, a snapshot of the project site. Surrounding land uses include the Hemet City Yard, a medical center, 7-Eleven gas station, and Superstar Car Wash, as well as single family residential homes. And then here is what the tentative parcel map will look like. It will subdivide the two existing lots at the north corner there. And then here is what the existing parcel currently looks like. Here's the exhibit, more of a close-up. This will be what the subdivision will look like. It will subdivide the north parcel that contains the O'Reilly's Auto Parts as well as the vacant pad. This shot here is the existing site conditions taken from city staff a couple of weeks ago. As you can see here, as you look at photo one, there is currently a vacant commercial pad. And if you look at photo two and photo three, there's existing landscaping, curved sidewalk gutter, things of that nature, as well as a path of travel on the west of the parcel, as you can see in photo four. And then here are the findings, here are the required findings for mapping applications as governed again by Chapter 70 and the Subdivision Map Act. After review of this application by city staff, staff believes that all the required findings could be made for this project and as well as anything that is outstanding for this project is addressed in the conditions of approval. And then regarding CEQA, we find that this project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act. There are three specific sections that we've outlined for this project that include the section 15301, class one existing facilities, section 15315 for minor land divisions, as well as 15162, that the project is consistent with the previously adopted negative declaration. Then on May 19th, 2026, the city gave public notice by advertising in the press enterprise and mailing to property owners and tenants within a 500 feet radius. Staff received one email inquiry pertaining to the purpose of the tentative parcel map and staff responded to that inquiry with information concerning this project. With that being said, it's respectfully requested, recommended that the Planning Commission adopt Planning Commission resolution to approve the tentative parcel map, determine that the project is exempt from the provisions of the California Environmental Quality Act, and direct staff to file a notice of exemption with the county clerk. And I'm available to answer any questions. Thank you.

Thank you for that presentation. Commissioners, any questions for Nathan?

Jordan. Jordan. I know, I said Jordan.

Right in front of me, too. It happens all the time, believe it or not.

I do not have any questions.

No questions?

Yeah, I have one question. You said you got one response from the mailings? Yes. What was the subject of the response? Well, the exact response was from the, I'll pull it up here.

The response was from directly kind of northeast of the subject property that is currently being used as a sonic drive-through. The property owners for that parcel inquired if the property part of their parking lot that's directly west of them were going to be impacted by this project. We responded that this was just for a minor land division and that there will be no changes to their parking at this time.

Okay. And then is there another reason why the applicant wants to do this? Is there interest in someone building something on that?

So the applicant responded with the letter of request. I was included in the staff report that indicated that this was for marketability purposes. We do have them online via Zoom. Maybe they have another reason that they'll be able to provide to you. Yeah, okay. That would be great.

All right. Jordan, thank you. Thank you.

Thank you, Jordan. Jordan, Nathan. I'm assuming that Sonic was satisfied with the city's response?

They responded that they would like to see the staff report for the project. They actually responded before the staff report was posted. We provided the staff report to them and I haven't received communication back from them since then. Gotcha, great, okay.

The only other question is for the applicant, so thank you.

Okay, thank you.

Just one question, is it just raw land or is there water sewer hookup already ready to go on that parcel land?

I'm not too sure if there's public utilities exactly on the site. That's something that we will look at more closely if they were to submit an application after they subdivide the parcel. They'll still have to go through an entitlement process, more than likely a site development review application that will be reviewed by the Planning Commission. And at that time, we'll make sure that that parcel has all of the necessary utilities to be able to operate.

And is that the parking lot when we're separating those parking lot, is that their private personal parking lot or is that Page Plaza's parking lot?

So it's Page Plaza's parking lot. If one of the conditions of approval would have been, more than likely would have been that they would have had to enter in some kind of CCNR to have a parking agreement. However, this is a well-established shopping center with already a parking agreement in place. So there's no issues with that.

Okay, and then one thing I know is just a little correction on page 17. Let me scroll down to that real quick for staff. You guys labeled it as Ramona Plaza instead of Page Plaza?

That is an excellent catch. We will make sure to revise that for the final resolution.

And I think that is all the questions I have. Any other final questions for staff before we open up public hearing?

Just real quick, just... Looking at the Page Plaza area, this looks like this is the last developable open space within the project. Is that correct?

That is correct. The last two stragglers were O'Reilly's Auto Parts and the Dave's Hot Chicken. So this would be the last parcel. It's a very beautiful site. As I mentioned, the surrounding land around the vacant site is already landscaped as well as sidewalked.

Yeah, they've done a great job. That's a real nice shopping center, so it'll be nice to finish it off, so thank you.

Just for clarity, it was actually condition seven for Mona Plaza, not Page Plaza, which would have been page 21, number seven. The other one was, I believe page 17 was a misprint in the dates 2026 and 2025, both on the same page. I'm trying to get these pages a little quicker. Yeah, those are the only typo errors I caught on page 21, number seven. Just make sure that's right. Yeah, page 21, number seven, it says enhancements with the Ramona Plaza Shopping Center. where it should be .

Yes, correct.

Okay. With that, we're going to go ahead and open up public hearing. We'll allow the applicant to speak. Is the applicant unmuted? Okay. Applicant, can you hear us?

Can I be heard?

Yes, just a little bit. Can you speak up a little bit?

I will try to speak up just a little bit more. Um, my headset maybe isn't working so great, but thank you. Um, fine commissioners and thank you for the kind words on our shopping center. We try very diligently to keep the shopping center in top shape. And, uh, I think the pictures show that, uh, we are, we are trying hard and doing well, but thank you for those comments. Uh, I'm here to answer any questions you have staff is probably, uh, put out the staff report that we've seen and agree with, and they have basically covered most of the reasons or all of the reasons actually why we're looking to have this property subdivided. Although we do not have someone actively pursuing the site by providing it with its own parcel. It opens it up for, Mike Noce, Mgmt. tenants to either try to purchase the property and build their own unit ground lease the property and it also allows for financing of the tenants when they even if we were to build the building and they occupy would allow them to get. Mike Noce, Mgmt. Funding. Mike Noce, Mgmt. And just encumber the one parcel and not the entirety of page Plaza.

Okay, thank you very much. Does the Commission have questions for the applicant? No.

No, I think he answered my question.

Same. All right. Well, thank you very much, applicant. I don't think we have any questions for you, and we hope that this will create some interest for potential business.

We hope so, too. Thank you.

Thank you. And with that, we're going to go. Is there any members present or online?

No, Chair.

Okay. With that, we're going to go ahead and close the public hearing. And may I have a motion from commissioners?

Yeah. I motion to determine the project is categorically exempt from CEQA pursuant to Section 15301, Class 1. Class 1 consists of operations, repair, maintenance, permitting, leasing, licensing, or minor alterations. OF EXISTING PUBLIC OR PRIVATE STRUCTURES, FACILITIES, MECHANICAL EQUIPMENT AND OR AND TOPOGRAPHIC FEATURES INVOLVING NEGLIGIBLE AND NON-EXPANSION OF EXISTING OR FORMER USE. The project is also exempt from CEQA guidelines section 15.315, class 15. Class 15 consists of divisions of property in urbanization areas zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use into four or fewer parcels when the division is in conformance with the general plan and zoning. The project is also exempt from CEQA based on the provisions of CEQA guidelines section 15162 because the project is consistent with the previously certified negative declaration approved by the resolution number 3544 on April 10th, 2001. and the Page Community Plaza Specific Plan 00-1 and the General Amendment 00-1. A notice of determination was filed on April 19th, 2001 in accordance with CEQA requirements. There has been no legal challenge brought against the project or the environmental determination. And number two, adopt Planning Commission resolution to approve tentative parcel map based on the findings and exhibits that subject of the attached conditions of approval and direct staff to file a notice of exemption with the Riverside County Clerk and State of California.

I'm sorry, can you read that again? No, just kidding.

Do you have a second? I will second that.

All right. Cast our votes. And that passes. Okay, before moving on to the next item of the agenda, our community development director.

Chair, just a moment. Who seconded the motion? Oh, okay, thank you.

Our Community Development Director would like to read you the appeal procedures into record. Community Development Director Monique.

Thank you, Chair. An appeal of the Planning Commission's decision may be made by an aggrieved party to the City Council subject to the Hemet Municipal Code Section 2-38 through 2-43, ANY SUCH APPEAL SHALL BE FILED WITHIN TEN CALENDAR DAYS OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION DECISION BY COMPLETING AN APPEAL APPLICATION ON FORMS PROVIDED BY THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT. THE APPEAL APPLICATION SHALL INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIFIC ACTION APPEALED FROM SPECIFIC GROUNDS OF THE APPEAL RELIEF OR ACTION SOUGHT FROM THE CITY COUNCIL ADDRESS WHERE NOTICE CAN BE SENT TO THE APPEALANT AND REQUIRED APPEAL FEE ESTABLISHED BY CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION. Note incomplete applications will not be accepted. A maximum of five additional days may be allowed to correct deficiencies. The community development director shall schedule the appeal for a de novo public hearing before the city council within 30 days. This, the council may affirm, modify, or reverse the Planning Commission decision, making findings required by Hemet Municipal Code and our state law. The decision of the City Council shall be final. I would like to add that for the recommendation of the City Attorney's Office, beginning with our next Planning Commission agenda, the appeal procedures will appear on the agenda and will no longer be read into the record at future public hearings.

Thank you for that. And now we will take department reports followed by adjournment. City Attorney Layla Soiree.

Thank you, Chair. I have nothing to report.

Okay. Community Development Reports, Director Monique.

Thank you, Chair. I have nothing to report this time.

Okay. And then how about future agenda items, Director Monique.

FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS INCLUDE THE ANNUAL FIVE-YEAR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN UPDATE, COST AND SQUARE CUP, 2025 FIRE CODE UPDATE CYCLE UPDATES, AS WELL AS 2025 BUILDING CODE CYCLE UPDATES, VIA DE LOS TRESORITOS, ATTENDATIVE TRACK MAP, RESIDENTIAL TRACK MAP, PRO HOUSING DESIGNATION PROGRAM, AND PREAPPROVED ADU PLANS.

OKAY. And now Planning Commissioner's reports.

Commissioner Viramontes.

I have nothing to report, but I would like an update on the apartment complex that was going up, the modern looking apartment complex. I can't remember what the name of it was, but I know they were waiting to see if they got a grant. I wanna know if they were approved or if they were approved or not. Other than that, I have nothing to report. The Palm Villas? Is that Palm Villas? It's like the modern looking one, yeah.

Palm Communities?

Yeah, Palm Communities. That's what it was. State and Menlo? State and Menlo, yes.

Yes, we did. We received confirmation that their tax finance, their credits, or their tax financing was approved, and there's going to be a hearing scheduled in June for that, which will be facilitated by Community Development Department. So we're happy to announce that they have received the funding for that.

That's great. That's awesome. Thank you.

Commissioner, excuse me, Commissioner Hill.

Yeah, thank you. I know that we just entered into a new contract with CR&R, is that correct?

I believe so. I think it was passed at a recent council meeting a couple days ago.

Okay. All right. So I talked to Mark Presswich about the issue that we've been having with CR&R. They keep missing our pickup. This has been going on for 11 years. Just about every other week, they do not pick up our trash. And the residents in our area were all affected by this. So I talked to Mark about it. He got on the phone with them and resolved it six weeks prior to this new contract. They started coming and picking it up every week. So last week they missed us again. So here we are. I don't know what is going on with CR&R. Their customer service is terrible. We call them and tell them about it, and they keep blaming us. Did you put your cans out? Well, yeah, I put my cans out. Did you put them six feet, six inches apart? Yes. Did you put them four inches from the curb? Yeah. It just keeps going like this over and over again. Every time we call, they put the blame back on us instead of saying, I'm sorry, we missed you. We'll get somebody out there right away to pick it up. So my trash day is Friday, so if it doesn't get picked up on Friday, I have to wait until Monday to call because you can't call them before 6 o'clock. They say the drivers have until 6 o'clock to pick up, but they close at 4. So that means that we're dead in the water over the entire weekend. And when they don't pick up the trash, it's really a problem. Now, I know that if I forgot to pay my bill, I'm sure they would be on the phone with me asking where my money is, right? I don't appreciate the fact that CR&R is... lacks in their customer service to the point where this is a consistent problem year after year. Thank you, Emory. It's just, I don't know what to do. I'm at my wit's end to figure this out anymore. Dealing with their customer service doesn't seem to work.

Thank you, Commissioner Hill. We will relay this to the city manager's office.

Appreciate that. Thank you. That's it. Thanks.

Thank you. Vice Chair Wirth?

Just a quick clarification question on the ADUs. Is that, for us moving forward with getting those pre-approved plans, is that a city mandate?

Or is that by state legislation?

Yes. So all cities will do that. Just as a side note, this came up recently at EMWD in one of our staff meetings because We don't see it in the city of Hemet yet, but we're seeing a couple cities bringing that up. And there's effects relative to connection fees and planning and capacities and things of that nature. So I would just encourage city staff to maybe reach out to the development services department at EMWD and see if there's some opportunities to coordinate on the impacts of if this is gonna be something that we're gonna see coming through with the city of Hemet within the EMWD service area. And then the second thing, I guess kind of to Commissioner Hill's comment, I was hoping to get an update on the annexation process, and the reason I say it's related is because I'm in the sphere of influence, and I have waste management services, and they have great customer service. But if we were annexed, we would be with CR&R. But I would appreciate it if there's any update that the city can provide coming from the, I think it was the March 25th, 2025 city council meeting. One of the recommendations in that staff report was to refer the necessary pre-annexation zoning actions to the Planning Commission to ensure that city zoning upon annexation reflects current county general plan zoning designations and no change in land use. We haven't seen anything on that. Also, I understand that there was going to be a committee set up on that.

Rejected. I'm sorry? It got rejected, didn't it? LAFCO rejected that.

Yes, and we can follow up at our next meeting with an update on what happened, but there was a determination made by the LAFCO.

And it was rejected though, right?

based on the petition that was established previously. So we want to make sure we follow up and provide you the correct update.

Yeah, that would be great. And then any potential subsequent actions that may happen as a result of an appeal or anything like that. And that's all I have. Thank you.

Thank you. Chair Beam-Stiffer.

A LITTLE UPDATE WHAT'S GOING ON AROUND HERE AND IN THE DESERT, COCHELLA. DATA CENTER PROPOSAL OF 450-ACRE AI IDENTIFICATOR CAMPUS IN COCHELLA HAS BEEN GENERATED SIGNIFICANT PUBLIC OPPOSITIONS. RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERNS REGARDING WATER CONSUMPTION, POWER DEMANDS, ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND LONG-TERM COMMUNITY EFFECTS. THIS PROJECT REMAINS UNDER REVIEW AS CITY OFFICIALS EVALUATE THE NEXT STEP. SO A LITTLE BIT CLOSER FROM DATA CENTER, WANT TO COME TO COCHELLA. Temecula and the wineries are up and roar with the new power line that they want to install for SDG&E. That's currently going on. They're having a lot of oppositions over there at the city meetings. City of San Jacinto, the Planning Commission recently discussed, had not approved, but in discussion of the shopping center located at State and Ramona. So there is something eventually coming that way. However, Planning Commission did approve the Sanderson Crossroad Project, which is located at Cottonwood and Sanderson, where CVS is. They're going to be continuing to expand the retail out there and create a little more shopping centers. And approximately 7,500 residential units remain within various stages of planning and entitlement process throughout San Jacinto. So they've got a lot of homes coming down. And my concern is, is Sanderson, once this all starts to develop, that's going to just create more traffic for him and Sanderson. If you're bored and you want to know what's going on in the city of Hemet, Hemet365.com. Definitely recommend businesses that are looking to promote, whether it's grog sales or ribbon cuttings or concerts at night, you can go to Hemet365.com and see what's coming up for the weekend. John Wirth and I were at Mark Pressworth's retirement party in Ramona Bowl, which was nice to be at. You were there as well. And a lot of people spoke, and it was just good to see the outcome there. And then today I had Officer Brian come in from the Hemet Arrow team. And he expresses concerns at the area of Buena Vista Street and Goal, that's G-O-A-L Road, which is the street adjacent to Searle Park. He's been having a lot of issues with homeless encampments that continue to come time and time again, where it's consuming a lot of him at police departments' time to go out there and clean up the mess and to relocate them, push them out. And he wants to come to Planning Commission because he knows that as a team that we can maybe do something with those trees and get rid of the nuisance for them to hide in the trees and the bushes that they have. So maybe something on the future agenda item or we can go in discussion and see how we can help him at PD in that little stretch of trees right there on the map. But other than that, with no further business to discuss, this meeting is being adjourned to the next Planning Commission meeting scheduled for June 16th, 2026 at 6 p.m.