Clinton Keith Marketplace Retail Center - EOT #1 (5-0)
Meeting Recap
Item 2.1 will allow Stiiizy to open a second location. They are going into the storefront formerly operated by Culture Cannabis at the corner of Bundy Canyon and Mission Trail.
Wildomar Crossings Retail Project first came onto the radar in very early 2018. Originally it was going to bring in three large national chains: Wendy's, Autozone, and Dollar Tree.
This project saw large attendance at planning and city council meetings back in 2018.
Since that time I've heard that Dollar Tree and Autozone have pulled out, with Autozone now looking to go across Clinton Keith to the development occurring there anchored by a carwash.
If by May of next year, the applicant doesn't begin construction, all the work leading to this point becomes null and void.
Item 3.2 Clinton Keith Marketplace Retail Center - EOT #1
I'm less familiar with this development as it didn't need to come before the city council. I am going to ask that this come before the city council after watching the video of the meeting.
Here's a mashup of the site map and Google maps.
If you're wondering, YES! there is a proposed car wash.
One of the commissioners did question the need for another carwash when we're already awash in carwashes, but at the time of the original approval it was an approved usage.
This item was just an EOT (Extension of Time).
The video of the meeting was interesting. It's less than 30 minutes. I suggest watching it to get all the info. Link at bottom of the blog.
These types of retail establishments bring in much needed tax monies that are used to fund the things we need in Wildomar. Improved streets, parks, first responders, code enforcement, and much more.
Those are actually the second set of reasons for supporting commercial/retail development. The first is that it provides local places for the residents of Wildomar to shop, eat, and get services without having to travel to other cities.
To me, this is obvious, but I do read comments from people who seem to want all development halted. That's unrealistic and counterproductive for the health of a small city.
A couple of small things came out of this meeting, but no new projects or anything else along those lines.
The first thing of note was a new sign that will be going in at the hospital along the freeway, and the ordinance that will allow it. It'll be a 430sf LED display that got local astronomer John Garrett's seal of approval. (This item begins around the 3:00 mark of the video at the bottom of the blog)
Night simulation was done by John Garret. The odd lighting is from taking a photo of the monitor.
Commissioner Kim Strong made some good points about this sign being a precedent that would allow more LED displays.
My concern is the LED big screen sign on the freeway, and how many more are we going to end up with? If we approve it for you, even though it's for medical buildings, how many more are we going to end up with on the side of the freeway?
We have three offramps, could we possibly have four signs on the three offramps? That is concerning to me. And does this open up for other businesses to come through and ask for amendments to the ordinance to allow them to also have this type of signage?
—Commissioner Kim Strong
Planning director Matt Bassi responded to Commissioner Strong's concerns, "Anybody can submit a code amendment request. We take each case individually on it's own merits. I can't foretell who may come or not come. That was a concern when the Wildomar Square LED sign went up because we have a number of shopping centers but the existing shopping centers aren't going to spend four or five hundred thousand dollars to tear down their [existing] sign and put up a new one. No one has approached us in the year since we approved [the Wildomar Square LED display]."
Wildomar Rap opinion time
I think it would be pretty hard to deny Albertsons or Stater Brothers an LED display when the time comes for them to upgrade their signs. That won't happen tomorrow, but count on the signs needing to be upgraded within the next 20 years or so. The current sign at the hospital was installed in 1986 (32 years ago), and Albertson's has to be 20 years old by now, with Stater Bros being the new kid on the block at about 12 years old.
The second notable item was Wildomar Crossings, which is on the corner of Clinton Keith and Stable Lanes Road. If you're not sure what Wildomar Crossings is, check out this April 2018 blog about it. This came back to the planning commission with a new look. The changes are cosmetic only (which is what was asked for), the original plans were rather blah, and the commission was very pleased with the make over.
This, and similar drawings, can be seen in the agenda packet at this link, starting on page 3.
While the subject of Wildomar Crossings was the topic, I asked about the stores that are slated to be going in. Three national chains: Dollar Tree, Wendy's and AutoZone. I've heard many people talk about their dissatisfaction with proposed stores, and I wanted to hear the official reasoning behind the process again. Assistant City Attorney Erica Vega explained, "Simply stated, the law gives the city, and the city council has given the [planning] commission purview over uses, not users; there's a difference. You look at commercial uses, but not the individual users." She continued, "To break that down further, you don't have to treat all commercial users the same way. You can have sub categories, but you can't get into you want 'this particular restaurant' but not 'that particular restaurant'. [Example] We don't want a McDonald's but we want a Burger King, but you can treat all fast food the same way, but you can't treat individual users differently."
The last key item was the property across from the Bundy Canyon Arco. (This item starts at about the 51:30 mark in the video below) Some of you may remember a sign that promised a Farmer Brothers many years ago (different time, different owner). Back in 2013 the applicant went to the trouble of getting this past the CEQA stage, approval of both the planning commission and the city council, and has just sat on it since.
This was originally approved in 2013.
I've never understood why a person would go to all that trouble and expense, to then just let it sit idle for so long that they need an official extension of time (EOT).
A look at the basic layout of the project.
They got an EOT in 2016, and now they're looking for another EOT that will stretch until 2021. Again, it's their land and money, I just don't get the point of it. So when it was time for public comments, I asked, "What happens if you deny this EOT?" I added that "I think there needs to be repercussions, like having to start the project over, for those that continue to seek EOTs..." and that "we're not in the recession [any longer]." Planning director Matt Bassi addressed my issues,
"In terms of time extensions, each individual application is going to come before you (the Planning Commission), and based on it's own merits. Sometimes the reasoning behind not recording the final map is that they're just not ready to do that. In some cases they're still working on the improvement plans, and meeting all the conditions of approval for a final map; they're very extensive. With the street improvement plans, grading plans and things like that." The question was asked, "What happens if the time extension is denied?" "If it is denied, then the applicant would have to start the entire process over. With a new parcel map, and go through a whole new CEQA analysis and review."
—Wildomar Planning Director Matt Bassi
Thank you Mr. Bassi, it's always good to get info from the source. My perspective is from that of an outsider, an average Joe.
Wildomar Rap opinion time
I don't mean to upset any developers out there... errr... actually, I'm not really concerned with the feelings of developers... either start your project(s) within a reasonable time frame, or face starting the process all over again... and yes, I know that will be costing you a grip of money. You should have considered that from the get go like the rest of us when we begin a project. A couple of EOTs are fine, things happen, but six years(sometimes more)?
This EOT (that goes to July of 2021 if they choose) is just the first of three that they can ask for. They can get (up to) three more years if they ask before the 2021 deadline. Mr. Bassi made another point about this item, "They do plan on moving forward here in the near future, with some kind of retail development. We don't know what yet, but the new owners are anxious to get going. If I had to venture a guess [as to the delay], it's probably waiting for Walmart [to begin their project]." Below is a video of the entire one hour meeting from start to finish.
The August planning commission meeting is cancelled, and the September meeting will be a workshop establishing commercial design guidelines, the public is invited to participate. In total, there will be three such workshops. Be looking for an email reminder the closer we get to September 5th. If you're not signed up to get city emails, use the link below to get to the correct webpage.
"It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity." – Albert Einstein (May 25th,1946) Wildomar Raphas to wonder if Mr. Relativity would care to revise his post-WWII comment if he were able make a quick pitstop in our day and time.
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.
The meeting was on the quick side tonight, and the council was running 40% light with Council Members Bridgette Moore and Tim Walker not in attendance. There was a library update — with lots of things planned for the community this Summer, and Sycamore Academy invited the council to their Art Showcase event.
Other than being reminded that everyone's water bills will be going up in July (skip to the bottom of the blog for the video for the whole presentation below), and that Wildomar Crossings passed its last hurdle (video to entire presentation also below) it was basically Joseph Morabito night. (Yes, that's me).
During the public comments on non-agenda items, I announced that I'll be running for city council this year (video is right here).
I live in District 3, which you can see in the map below.
I also spoke about the "greenbelt" that leads into Windsong Valley. It was an item on the agenda but put into the consent calendar since it's coming back next month as a regular item.
I chose to speak about it tonight because I don't think that it's going to be dealing with the landscaping part as much as it is the lighting. If you live in Windsong Valley, it most likely will be affecting you.
The thing with that tax, it no longer is covering the cost for the streetlights. We're still paying what the original owners were paying when the first Windsong home was built in the late '80s.
I don't mind the increase for the street lights, that makes sense, but I can't imagine what the deal is when it comes to that greenbelt.
This was part of the consent calendar. The highlights are mine.
We are paying $100 per week for "administration" to take care of that "greenbelt". $5300 per year comes out of the taxes that over 1000 Windsong Valley homeowners pay into. That's about 25% of the entire tax collected.
Let's see a show of hands, who thinks the work done on the Cervera greenbelt is acceptable?
If you have thoughts, be sure to weigh in on it, and consider attending the next city council meeting too. If not, when you discover that your property tax bill went up under CSA 103, just remember you were told about it. Watch the video to hear my concerns about it.
The only other substantive part of the agenda was Wildomar Crossings. Since I'm running for city council in District 3, I felt I should weigh in on it.
In short, I don't see how we can block a landowner from developing their land when it's in accordance with the city's established general plan. They happen to have three signed tenants, but other times, like the still mostly empty Subway building on Bundy Canyon, a developer doesn't know who the tenants will be. There were some issues with the boxiness of the buildings, and it will be going back to the planning commission in June to get a workover. The entire agenda item is in the video below. Complete with the presentation, comments from the landowner, and only one from the North Ranch neighborhood in opposition, Gracie (she didn't leave a last name, but told us she used to be mayor of Pico Rivera). I loved her energy, take a look at the video to see what I'm talking about.
Other than that, there wasn't much else to the meeting. Oh wait, here's the video about the water bill increase. It's been being talked about for a long time, and it seems to happen every year, so pardon me while I don't elaborate on it.
Yes, it's early in the year... but you don't have to click. ☺
If you have questions or concerns, please email me.
• • •
"The man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready." — Henry David Thoreau Wildomar Rapthinks HDT was referring to wives when he said "another".
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.
There was just one item on the April 18th special planning commission meeting, Wildomar Crossings Commercial Retail Center.
There are four pads, three of which have already been leased to nationally known companies.
Between the residents of the North Ranch neighborhood, and the regional representation of three of the signed stores set to go into that center, there were quite a few in attendance. The project, which was approved and sent to the city council for the final ok, is slated to bring an AutoZone, Wendy's and Dollar Tree. There was a brief presentation (full video is at the bottom of the blog), public comments, then commission discussion. The key concerns I noted from the commission were about the look of the buildings. I'm not sure when this was designed, but the buildings came across as boxy, and not in the fashion that Wildomar has been trying to achieve. (Think of The Barn at Palomar and Clinton Keith, to get a feel of the style preferred now).
It was entered into the record that prior to the issuance of building permits that the applicant submit a "substantial conformance application" to the planning department for planning director review and approval regarding the planning commissions concerns over architecture.
This was the sign in the agenda packet. I'm a little surprised that it didn't have the center's name on it, or any Wildomar branding, or that it wasn't a topic of discussion among the commissioners. Maybe I missed something along the way.
The public speakers came in two groups. First were the representatives of the center. • The landowner Greta Goplen • Jeff Foreman of Dollar Tree • AutoZone had three speakers (Zubier Sakhi - regional manager, Levon Age - Wildomar resident, Michael Chastain) • Ziad Boukai (sp?) of Wendy's • Michael Schweitzer (representing the project engineers)
The next speaker was Jimmy Elrod of Southwest Regional Council of Carpenters. His group has sent many letters to the city and developers about this project, including one the day before (smells like a document dump to me). The moment he mentioned CEQA and GHG emissions my eyes fogged over.
I'm still trying to figure out what a Council of Carpenters is interested in here. Are they worried the construction work is slated to go to non union workers or something?
Nice touch with the day-glow orange vests.
The next group of speakers came up (actually just two), and they were residents of the North Ranch subdivision.
• Jesus Maldonado
• Debbie Yuan
The types of stores was the key focus of the speakers. The building design was also called into question.
"The stores aren't consistent with the neighborhood. [...] I don't have anything against stores like Dollar Tree or Wendy's or AutoZone, but the neighborhood has moved up in caliber. So these stores, as they are currently planned, are no longer applicable to our community."
— North Ranch resident Debbie Yuan
As stated by Planning Director Matt Bassi during the first few minutes of his presentation:
We have received many comments from residents in North Ranch, there was a petition that came through, that is in the agenda packet, as well as a couple of individual letters, saying that they don't like the tenant mix in this particular development. Our zoning code, unfortunately, does not allow us the flexibility to regulate the type of users, only the use.
— Wildomar Planning Director Matt Bassi
Map of the area and recent news worthy spots.
1: Wildomar Crossings 2: Wildomar Square 3: Where four story apartments were discussed, but no thumbs up given 4: area that has been the site of homeless activity mentioned in the April city council meeting.
One letter to Planning Director Matt Bassi had this passage in it, "I understand the reasoning behind
it (Wildomar Crossings) which is profit for the city, but since we already have retail in every corner by the 15 fwy why not think
about beautifying Wildomar instead?" All due respect to the concerned resident, but it has nothing to do with the city "profiting" or not. It's all about the landowner's rights to use their property in accordance with the laws of the state and the general plan of the city. If they're doing that, then it's difficult to tell a landowner that they still have to pay taxes on their land, still maintain their land, and yet leave their land fallow because people living adjacent to it prefer it that way. A petition from Neighbors near the proposed Wildomar Crossings Retail Center, signed by over 100 residents, was included in the agenda package.
In the letters to the city and developers there were a couple of quotes worthy of sharing. I don't believe they are out of context the way I'm about to use them. In a letter from Debbie Yuan she states: Most of us moved into
this new community within the last 2, 3 years. We were informed at the time we purchased our homes that this
location was zoned for commercial use. In the petition I found this: After the development is completed, it would have severe overall infringement on our quality of life, on the quiet and private residential lifestyle we sought when we purchased our home. It seems that there is a bit of inconsistency in the two thoughts. Since many of you in North Ranch are new to the area, perhaps you were able to avoid something called Camelia Townhouse Project; that item sucked up a lot of oxygen in the first half of last year. In a nutshell, it was dealing with neighbors not liking a proposed project on land behind their houses. The things that those educated adults were willing to say —into a live microphone— were astounding at times (just go check out the video highlights with this link). Let's hope their fever doesn't spread to those in North Ranch.
To illustrate the point of living near an empty field, I live two houses away from a field that already has plans drawn up. When I bought the house, I knew that it wasn't going to be turned into a nature preserve or park. I'm just glad it's not slated to be a Sriracha sauce factory. ☺
A key part of the petition was the "If they build" part.
From the petition
IF this location is to be developed for commercial use, below are some suggestions for businesses that would help to preserve the integrity of the neighborhood, and maintain the quality of living for the residents: – High-end Day Spa or Salon – Pier 1 Imports, Pottery Barn, Home Goods, or similar retail store – Bank or Credit Union – Insurance Company – Legal Service, Escrow, or Title Office – Fitness Gym, Dance Studio, Yoga Studio – Small Health Store – Flower Shop or Gift Boutique – Alternative Food and Restaurant • Panera or Bakery • Lemonade or Juice Bar • Ethnic / Global Food option – such as Chinese Food, Thai Food, Indian, or Mediterranean
I'm a little surprised that Trader Joe's wasn't on that list, it would be number one on my wish list. ☺ I like the list of business ideas, but many of those are already well represented in town.
Let's go down the list
► We have several high end day spas in town. ► Pier One would be great, but if people were saying that we could drive to another city for auto parts or dollar store purchases, I'm guessing that bigger ticketed items at such stores could be plagued by the same logic. ► Wildomar Square has a new credit union, but it is a nice suggestion. ► When it comes to legal services, title and escrow those don't usually anchor a center. They generally are in office space. This center has a handful of buildings and they are looking for nationally known tenants. ► Fitness gym, dance or yoga was mentioned. Great ideas to be sure. We don't have a dance studio anymore, but there is Just Yoga that is preparing to open their doors any week now, in Wildomar Square. ► When it comes to a small health store, flower shop or gift boutique, perhaps those will be the types of businesses that lease the other building. ► I love the idea of what is being called ethnic/global food choices. Personally, I'm not a fast food guy. Other than their grand opening, I probably would rarely visit Wendy's. Still, they are a popular national chain, and people love them. (I've still NEVER stepped foot into the Wildomar McDonald's) As it happens, there is a Thai restaurant being built in Wildomar Square, and let's not forget Los Reyes, Old Market Grill, Angelo's, Tresino, Sushi Ka or Poke Port already doing business in town (apologies to the other "ethnic/global" eateries not mentioned). Look for this to come before the city council on May 9th.
"I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have." – Thomas Jefferson Wildomar Rapis basically the luckiest blog on Earth.
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.
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