• Planning Commission Meeting Preview June 2025

It's been a while since I've seen a sizeable Planning Commission agenda, and the June meeting is set to have at least three major items.

Right out of the gate is Cherry Outpost (Retail Center).

2.1 Cherry Outpost Retail Center Project

Since this is an active development that may come before the city council someday, I have to be doubly cognizant to remain unbiased. I'm just here to share information I got from the agenda.

1) a 4-story, 72-room hotel (45,571 square feet)

2) a gas station complex, including a 4,176-square-foot convenience store with an attached 3,200-square-foot drive-through restaurant, and a 2-position RV fueling area 

3) a stand-alone 4,425-square-foot fast food/drive-through restaurant

4) a 5,724-square-foot express car wash with related accessories.

From the agenda

"The Applicant (Jack Kofdarali) has secured one (1) lease for Tommy’s Car Wash. The other uses are unidentified at this time."

Psst... FYI, last I heard,Tommy's brand is owned by the applicant.

Project Location/Vicinity: The project site encompasses approximately 6.65+ acres and is located at the NWC of Cherry St. & Bundy Canyon Road. 

The project site is comprised of two (2) legal parcels zoned C-H (Commercial Highway) and is currently vacant. There are single family uses both north and east of the site. 

Cherry Outpost Sign Program Analysis: The applicant has submitted a master sign program for the proposed retail center for Planning Commission Consideration. 

The sign program meets all code requirements in Chapter 17.180 (Signs) of the WMC. The sign program is provided for Commission consideration in Attachment F. 

Link to 32 page Attachment F

You guessed it, the carwash is the only future business that is signed to go in, and the same owner already has one approved and underway on Clinton Keith/Stable Lanes (west side of freeway, between the Starbucks and Stadium Pizza). Not to mention one across from the new Kaiser on Wildomar Trail.

Staff’s recommendation for approval of the sign program is included in PC Resolution No. 2025-10 (Attachment C).

Something to keep in mind

The Planning Commission decision is final, so the CUP would not go to Council if approved by the Planning Commission, unless the decision is appealed.

 

Without the CUP, the car wash cannot go there.

This is a very weighty agenda item with over 20 attachments. Use the following link to access the agenda item.

LINK

Each of these is several pages, if not dozens of pages.

2.2 Development Code Amendment No. 2025-01 (Cannabis Code Amendment)

The city council made a few minor modifications to the existing code earlier in the year. The above graphic gives a summary.

3.3 Request for Direction on the Placement of Metal Shipping Containers as Accessory Structures on Lots or Parcels Not Less Than 1/2 Acre in Size Within the Agricultural and Rural Residential Zones

PROJECT ANALYSIS: 

Existing Standards: Metal shipping containers are only permitted on properties of at least 5 acres in certain zones. Containers must comply with setback, height, and aesthetic standards. Conditional use permits (CUPs) may be required in some cases to ensure compatibility with surrounding uses. 

Public Comments and Potential Changes: 

• Allowing metal shipping containers on smaller parcels within agricultural and rural residential zones, subject to development standards. 
• Implementing conditional use permit (CUP) requirements for containers exceeding a specified size or number. 
• Requiring aesthetic enhancements (e.g., painting, screening) to minimize visual impacts. 

Pros: 

• Provides property owners with additional storage options. 
• Supports agricultural uses with secure, weather-resistant storage. 
• May reduce unauthorized placement of containers. 

Cons: 

• Potential for negative visual impact on residential areas. 
• Risk of noncompliance or unauthorized container use. 
• Possible conflict with residential neighborhood character in rural zones.

Wildomar Rap opinion time

I live in Windsong Valley, and containers wouldn't go here since our lots are very small in the first place. However, I'm a big proponent of property rights, and if a container was going to be coming into a smaller lot size (half acre minimum), and done in a way that respects the neighbors (interpreting that is where the wheels are most likely to go off the rails), it would be fine by me.

What say you when it comes to shipping containers being used in residential areas? Should the existing codes be changed or remain the same?

• Planning Commission Meeting Announcement

There are two items on next week's planning commission agenda, commercial cannabis, which is scheduled to come to the full city council on a special meeting date of May 28th, and a briefing on the Wildomar cemetery master plan.

The key issue is commercial cannabis. Something that has been batted around since at least 2010 and been delayed over and over again since the voters of Wildomar voted in favor of Prop 64 back in 2016. 

Though I would have preferred that this meeting be held in the traditional format (live at city hall) I'm satisfied with the extraordinary measures that staff has taken to ensure that the public will be able to participate in real time during these strange times we're in. Please read the details of how to participate below.

Link to agenda packet

The following email was sent out to those that have signed up for city emails. Use this link to sign up if you haven't already done so. 

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Good Afternoon,

The agenda packet for the Planning Commission meeting of May 6, 2020 has been uploaded to the city's website and is ready for review.  Please click on the link below to access the PC agenda webpage and then click on the "packet column" to review the agenda packet and all staff reports and exhibits.

http://www.cityofwildomar.org/government/agendas___minutes/planning_commission_agendas_minutes

The City of Wildomar encourages your participation in this Planning Commission meeting; however, in order to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus, this meeting is being conducted utilizing video and teleconferencing.  

The City Council Chambers will not be open to the public.

The public may view the meeting on television and/or online and may participate via ZOOM video conferencing.  You may also view the meeting live on the City of Wildomar’s website at http://www.cityofwildomar.org or on cable TV through Frontier Channel 36 or AT&T channel 99.  To view from the website, select the live stream link on the top of the front page.

Instructions for Electronic Participation:

If you would like to make a public comment and/or a comment on a specific agenda item, please follow these steps:

1.        Before joining the call, please silence your other communication devices such as your cell phone or desk phone.  This will prevent any feedback and interruptions during the Commission meeting.

2.        Log in or call into “ZOOM” via your desktop/laptop/tablet, smartphone, or telephone.  You must first download the “ZOOM” app to access the link via an Apple smartphone.

Join Zoom Meeting from your PC, Tablet or Laptop:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86315222943

(Meeting ID:  863 1522 2943)

Join Zoom Teleconference Dial In:  +1 669-900-6833 (US)

(Meeting ID:  863 1522 2943)

Please Note:  During the meeting all participants video will be turned off during the entire meeting and you will be placed on Mute by the host.  You will not be able to mute or unmute your lines manually.  The host will unmute your line when the Chairman calls on you to speak.

Please review the May 6th PC agenda for additional guidelines and instructions about the electronic participation.

If you have any questions about the agenda packet or individual agenda items, please contact me at your convenience. The special meeting will begin promptly at 6:30 pm. 

Thank you 

Matthew Bassi, Planning Director

951.677.7751 x213

Email: mbassi@cityofwildomar.org 

City Hall Hours:

Monday – Thursday

8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed Fridays

• St. Frances of Rome New 1200 Seat Church

Special Planning Commission meeting of December 18, 2019

Three key items on the agenda. Wildomar Shooting Range and Academy Project (link to blog about it), St. Frances of Rome Church Project, and Multi-Family Design Guidelines Workshop/Study Session.

Link to full agenda

Below is from the city's press release from last month regarding the St. Frances of Rome project. I've added two images from google maps to give a better idea of where this is in Wildomar.

Drawings from the agenda packet.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

The proposed project includes the construction of a 17,601-square-foot church building with a seating capacity of 1,200 people (a net increase of 303 seats from existing conditions); construction of a 9,792- square-foot office and classroom/meeting room building; conversion of the preschool to a church office; the continued use of the existing church building on the project site as a multi-purpose building; removal of existing modular classrooms; and the reconstruction of an existing parking lot with 234 additional parking spaces, for a total of 412 parking spaces onsite. 

A 6-foot high block wall would be placed around the project site’s eastern, western, and southern boundaries, where required, to screen automobiles. 

The red X is the location of the proposed church building.

The proposed project would result in a total increase of 27,393 square feet of building area. 

The proposed development plans, including architectural renderings and elevations, are provided in Appendix 1. Figure 4, Site Plan, shows a site plan of the proposed improvements. 

Church Building 
The new church building would be one story and approximately 42 feet and 8 inches in height. 

The new church building would include a bell system that would include a bell within a supporting wall that would be approximately 23 feet 4 inches tall and 32 feet wide; the bell would only sound on ceremonial occasions such as Easter and Christmas. 

The meeting rooms would serve as weekday Religious Education. The building would be painted with a cream-colored stucco with terracotta-colored metal Spanish tile roofing. 

The church would operate with Mass times as follows: 
• Saturdays: 4–5 p.m. and 6–7 p.m. 
• Sundays: 7–8 a.m., 9–10 a.m., 11 a.m.–12 p.m., 1–2 p.m., and 5–6 p.m. 
• Weekday Mass: 8 a.m. – 9 a.m. 

No other functions would occur during Mass times. 

Office and Classroom Building The project includes construction of a 9,792-square-foot office and classroom building after the removal of the existing modular structures on the site. 

Southerly view. The red X is the location of the proposed church building.

The building would be one story and approximately 29 feet tall. The office and classroom building would have a stucco finish. 

Parking Lot 
The proposed project would reconstruct the existing asphalt parking lot at the southern portion of the site (APN 366-330-011). 

The new parking lot would be improved to accommodate 234 parking spaces in addition to the existing 178 spaces (412 spaces total). The periphery of the reconstructed parking lot would be improved with landscaping, and the driveway connection between the existing onsite circular roadway and the proposed parking lot would be improved. 

The proposed parcel merger would make the parking lot a part of the church property and would make the property one parcel instead of two.

Link to Agenda Packet

• November 25, 2018

A couple of items 

1: Planning Commission Opening

With a new city council term comes a new term for a planning commissioner. Each city council member can nominate someone for the planning commission, which then has to be approved by a majority of the council.

It's customary for the city to advertise in the Press Enterprise and send out emails informing interested persons that applications for a seat on the Wildomar planning commission are being taken. I'm sure that will happen as usual, but I'd like to get the process started now.

If you are interested in working for the betterment of Wildomar, and would like to be interviewed for a seat on the planning commission, please reach out to me. I haven't been issued a city email or phone yet, so at this point you'll have to use other email (or facebook messages) for the initial contact.

I'm not looking for any one thing in a potential planning commissioner, but a commitment to serve the entire four year term, and an overall positive demeanor are a must.

Other things I'm looking for: someone that doesn't have an agenda, is easy to work with, will do all their homework, visit the various project sites before voting on them, be able to explain to the public their votes during commission discussion before a vote.

You don't necessarily have to be a long time resident of Wildomar, but you're going to have to convince me that you have a commitment to our city if you're new to the area.

I'm looking to have this filled in a reasonable time frame so that the commission will have its full complement of five members with as little delay as possible. 

If you're interested in the position, then you'll have to fill out an application with the city. (which can come off as invasive, but that's the tradeoff when you want to serve the public)

City of Wildomar's website

2: Measure AA Oversight Committee

This is a new oversight committee that was promised with the passing of the sales tax increase known as Measure AA. I haven't heard the particulars yet, but I don't believe this will be filled the same way as the planning commission. 

All interested persons would need to contact city hall and ask for an application for the Measure AA Committee. You can also approach any of the council members and let them know you're interested.

My suggestion is that, in addition to the qualities listed above, you also have a head for numbers. 

3: This Blog

Wildomar Rap opinion time

You may have read that some of Wildomar Rap's standard blogs will be going away. Primarily the recap of the city council and planning commission meetings. I still want to share what has gone on, but it'll be tricky while abiding by the Brown Act. 

For example, if I come in with opinion on a pending agenda item, it could be seen as an attempt to communicate with other council members... something strictly forbidden. Each council member can communicate with ONE other member, but that is all.

More than that and there is a voting majority (3 is a quorum) and trying to circumvent the Brown Act is an easy way to get into serious trouble. 

I'm not going to rush this, as it's always better to measure twice and cut once... as my grandfather would always say.

Wildomar Rap will still highlight things within the community. Local businesses, park events, people and the like. If you know of something or someone that has a story that should be shared with the rest of Wildomar, please let me know about it, I can't write about something I'm unaware of. I can't promise that I'll blog about it, but I might. 

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I am a slow walker, but I never walk back.
– Abraham Lincoln

Come on Abe, no one bats 1.000, Wildomar Rap is willing to walk back when the situation calls for it. 

This blog was produced for viewing on a desktop or a laptop. Though it's been optimized for smartphones, the formatting can look odd on a smartphone or if you get this delivered through email (such as missing video links). Link to proper format.

• Planning Commission Meeting October 2017

Nothing earth shattering came out of this meeting, mostly just requests for extensions of time on already approved projects. However, item 3.2 was the most interesting and I'll detail it further down in the blog.

Recapping the notables.

Public  Comments on non agenda items.

• Ken Mayes reprised his request for city meetings to be live streamed, but of course, being reasonable is never enough with him, so he added in the following to keep his rep at the high caliber (cough) that we've all become inured to with the following quote.

"I'd like to sit at home with a nice, big, fat doobie watching the meetings."

Hmmm... live streaming of city meetings is all it'll take to keep Ol' Kenny A-Mayes-ing at home? 

Something to give some serious consideration to. 

Though, we all know he'd never actually stay home, giving up his regular opportunity to pontificate to a captive audience... still, it's worth a shot.

Item 2.1 Change of Zone 

If you know the area, this is a no brainer if ever there was one. 

The house sits on 1 ¾ acres right on Clinton Keith.

The house in question was built in the 1970's and the owner wanted to change the zoning to fit the General Plan. 

It's been designated as commercial retail for as long as the GP has existed. Let's be real for a sec, few people would want to live that close to businesses and right on the busiest street in the city anyway. 

A look at the house from Google Maps. 

The problem with an agenda item that is normally a "no-brainer", when Miss Miller is around, is that sparks are likely to fly anyway. 

I've included the video of her off topic rant as a cautionary tale to those that might feel the urge to spout off about something that they're completely unprepared for.

Miss Miller, this was just a request to change the zoning to match the general plan. No one is seeking to do anything more with it at this time, and it is ACROSS THE STREET from Renaissance Plaza, not in it.

Item 3.2
This was a GPIP. 

What's a GPIP you're asking?
It's asking for input on the suggestion of a request for a General Plan Amendment. (Dizzying, I know.) 

A couple of years back I made a 4 panel cartoon trying to illustrate it. Allow me to dust it off and use it here.

Key: Mario represents the developer in this example.
In my experience, a GPIP is generally only done when the developer knows he's begging.

I'll add the video, though it really has no lasting value. I've seen a lot of people go through the process over the years with nothing to show for it.

I wasn't all that impressed with the developer's presentation or his way of trying to convince the people of Wildomar that this was in our best interest.

Not only was the project a horrible suggestion, adding another 364 apartments to an area that is already waterlogged with apartments, but his approach came off as if he was the only smart guy in the room. Though delivered in low key manner.

This graphic shows where there are already 1600 apartments in 1800 foot radius of the site.
Either already built, or already approved.

The highlights of this item included:
Public Comments

• Ken Mayes talked about the benefits of local business parks and the impacts on traffic with the addition of 364 Apartments and concern about how the fire department would deal with a fire if they were to be three story units. (his part begins at 11:30)
• Joseph Morabito reminded the commissioners that at least one of the city council members frowns on this kind of GPA, as attested to by her comments during the City Council meeting where the Camelia Townhouse project was hammered out. (His part picks up at the 13:00 minute mark)
• Miss Miller went bonkers discussing how everyone she talks to at shopping centers tell her that they're moving out of town. She invoked burrowing owls and the Stephens Kangaroo Rat, but lost me when she jumped over to sinkholes, earthquakes, birth control and a countdown to disaster. (Her part begins at the 16:30 mark of the video)

The commission discussion lead off with Chair John Lloyd going over why he's not in favor of converting more business park land to apartments, and Vice Chair Michele Thomas agreed with him.

Commissioner Veronica Langworthy hearkened back to a comment she'd made back in November 2013 (link to that blog) when she discussed her fondness for multi-use projects.

"We do want to encourage business in our area, if we don't have the land available for it and the development that occurs for it, it'll be done elsewhere.

I had mentioned a few years ago about mixed use [projects]. I'm a strong proponent of, kind of like, Little House on the Prairie where you have the Olsen's store downstairs and the people living upstairs."

Her comment in 2013 inspired me to create one of my earliest WR photoshop specials.

To each his own, but I don't see how such complexes, with owners living above their stores, works in practice in a place like 21st century Wildomar. 

Also, even if everyone was down with it, there would STILL need to be a General Plan Amendment because neither apartments, nor commercial retail (like the Olsen's store) are supposed to go into a business park, and that is what the General Plan Land Use Map calls for.

There were several comments from the developer that could be made into pull quotes, but why bother.

Like I said in my public comment, "if the council is as good as its word, as of just a few short months ago, it'll fly about as well as a dead cat bounces."

If this dead cat actually bounces back to life, then we can spend time itemizing the developer's comments. Until then, they are in the video below.

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Personally, I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.
– Winston Chruchill

Wildomar Rap is always ready to teach, even when you don't want to be taught.

• Planning Commission Meeting October 2016

Tonight's meeting was billed as a special meeting. 

The usual slot for the planning commission meeting is the first Wednesday of the month. Any other Wednesday and it seems to get the "special" designation.

Item 2.1 Nova Homes Residential Project

Click to enlarge.

This is located about 600 feet north of Clinton Keith on the west side of George going to Iodine Springs.

Just to the south of the Wildomar Springs housing development that is currently in the building phase. 

To the south of it, on Clinton Keith, is an already approved shopping center known as Clinton Keith Village. (link to blog about it)

This was to be another general plan amendment request with the request being to remove an existing mixed use overlay (better known as MUPA).

The developer wants to build 77 homes that range from 1700sf to 3100sf on 11.25 acres.

Everything looked to be a go when commissioner John Lloyd discovered an error between the agenda packet they were holding and what the developer was working from.

It was all really nothing of consequence (which home model went where), but in California (and especially in Wildomar) if there is a cosmetic error it's best practice to stop the presses and take it from the top on another day.

Both sides cordially agreed to carry this over to the December 7th meeting where they'll be using the same set of plans that are also sent out to the public.

Possible Measure Z loophole here?

Even though this has to come back to the planning commission, as long as they had the public hearing opened, there was time for public comments. This proved to be the most eyebrow raising to me.

Kenny Mayes brought up an interesting point. This project is part traditional houses and part non traditional. The developer referred to these units as "our garden product". 

They are single family homes, but with essentially no front yards, and the owners don't own the land; they're similar to condos, but not attached.

With that, they are only on one parcel.

You may be saying, "Yeah, who cares if there are 65 residences on 1 parcel?"

Well, depending on how you read Measure Z, which charges $28 per parcel, those 65 units in the new development might only be paying $28 (total) per year instead of $1820 that would be charged if they were on individual parcels.

After the meeting I spoke with Planning Director Matt Bassi about it and he wasn't too sure how that would be interpreted. 

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CORRECTION

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I had mistakenly assumed that only the 65 "garden product" homes were on one lot. According to the agenda, it's the entire project of 77 homes. 

Which would  change the amount of Measure Z monies from said development from $1820 to $2156.

============

Let's please get this figured out post haste. 

If Measure Z was mistakenly written in such a way as to allow multiple units to only pay once "per parcel" instead of once per domicile, let's please put this on the list of future agenda items and fix it. The intent was for everyone to pay into it.

If Measure Z is applied to all units in the city (even if they share a single parcel), then let's have that made clear and put this issue to bed.

I can't imagine that any of the council members would be in favor of such an odd exemption that would allow homeowners to avoid paying the Measure Z tax simply because of the way the plot plan was drawn up.

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This was answered at the November PC meeting

Click this link to read about it

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As for the Nova Homes project itself, it'll be a nice addition to the city, and nice to know that it didn't include more apartments. 

My only questions were about the ingress. It only has one entrance for 77 homes. I can picture existing peak time traffic being affected on George St if there aren't dedicated lanes and turn pockets.

•          •          •

Just when you think that at least the outlook is so black that it can grow no blacker, it worsens, And that is why I do not like the news, because there has never been an era when so many things were going so right for so many of the wrong persons. 
— Ogden Nash (1940), 1902-1971

Wildomar Rap wonders what old Ogden would have to say after watching the latest presidential debate.