[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},"mediaId",6519594,"mediaKeyId","5350235-8060f9d2ec04578ca3a944c17956488a","parentId",5350235,"title","Residents urge council to reject Newland Simpson warehouse; council continues public hearing to July 14","audioSeconds",5942,"startMs",2761000,"endMs",8703000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5350235-8060f9d2ec04578ca3a944c17956488a&start=2761&end=8703","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5350235-8060f9d2ec04578ca3a944c17956488a/thumbnail_2761000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6519594/Hemet/Riverside-County/California/Residents-urge-council-to-reject-Newland-Simpson-warehouse-council-continues-public-hearing-to-July-14","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519594-39a74a931e0dbc193b09b2f19b28861e/orig.mp4?Expires=1773640785&Signature=SPcUN~VHO0k~Hg3MRzEwhocNL373z2lBK-AGjiyvNGCnimrrHGhEM~0O7GYSlzDhxhNKZgYDufpfQihXk~ulNprk3pMNIekEBDot0si-8nL4eHExU0W~njt5aViSYybTYJjTIDhpzBtv2HdfdUpoHEa~A2DySc8E1ZM7Srd5aEXu7WSi46RXfza37SCdROV1Q3qo4eEahHdHTODCjrzjenec3YkgVHtR4A2hQHmT5eSBx3PgfFiReBTpP-5Ea7Yizp~O9WM5~x-OWCGB~ixJWqA0iAqezWSzEI3gkbnYlGbpaluvFQx2fjuYvQ0-E9MKwbHTKTnbv~bYulswVHzJbA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-07-09T03:07:14Z","article","Several Hemet residents used the July 8 city council meeting's public-comment period to urge the council to reject or more closely scrutinize the proposed Newland Simpson warehouse development, citing traffic congestion, public-health risks from diesel emissions, declining property values and delays in public-records responses. The council opened the public hearing on the project and continued it to a special meeting set for July 14.

Speakers said they fear the project would bring truck staging, gridlock and blight to the west side of the city and would harm nearby homeowners' property values. Carol Velarde, who identified herself as a District 4 resident, said the developer's promised revenue and jobs do not outweigh the community harms and estimated potential declines in home equity for nearby developments: \"You can't ignore the potential blight this will bring to our city.\" Velarde argued the city should consider other uses that generate more sales tax and fewer negative impacts.

Other public commenters raised transparency and responsiveness concerns. Jean Finza said residents who requested documents under the Public Records Act had received nothing and described multiple delays: \"We applied through our, legal advisor for a public records act. We've received nothing from the city.\" She urged the council to make records available in advance of the July 14 public hearing.

Speakers described uncertainty about the project's size and scope as plans changed through the public process. Several speakers questioned job estimates and said the nature of warehouse work and increasing automation reduces the number of local hires. A small-business owner and construction contractor discussed truck staging and maintenance problems at comparable facilities and said the area's roads are not designed for continuous heavy truck traffic.

At the meeting the mayor opened the public hearing; staff recommended leaving the public hearing open and continuing it to the July 14 special meeting so the council and staff could consider written materials and further public testimony. The clerk reported no registered speakers for the public-hearing segment at the moment the hearing was opened; however, multiple speakers had addressed the project during the general public-comment period earlier in the meeting. The council took no final vote on the project on July 8.

The project is scheduled for additional review at the July 14 special meeting; staff and interested parties should supply the record and any revised materials before that date, and the council has said it will accept public comment during the continued hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City Council Meeting 7/8/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents criticized the proposed Newland Simpson warehouse for traffic, pollution, property-value and transparency concerns. The city opened a public hearing and then continued it to a special meeting on July 14 for further consideration; speakers said they had not received requested public records.","taxTitle","Hemet, Riverside County, California","taxId",4863,"location","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_47":80,"_49":81,"_51":82,"_53":83,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":84,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":85,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6519598,"Hemet council adopts five-year capital improvement program, asks for funding appropriations",859,6137000,6996000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5350235-8060f9d2ec04578ca3a944c17956488a&start=6137&end=6996","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5350235-8060f9d2ec04578ca3a944c17956488a/thumbnail_6137000.jpg","/articles/6519598/Hemet/Riverside-County/California/Hemet-council-adopts-five-year-capital-improvement-program-asks-for-funding-appropriations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519598-d8f1bae4143883ce92a79d4987a1f382/orig.mp4?Expires=1773640785&Signature=E3eSCZXF5ogOTMGO4pNxSXTPFxnr7d~1Ect8kkgBmgj9Ti2qH5z3TvxG8F7bjgRP-1K2gIYXbMLDSToWbcefEf5z3Uatq7qwkqv9f7srfHyDBriKvulpLnnbgTidJrj1pTx6ATzc1eGOZMdqWRfO3NQPBmgbkiZ40HyXUEQKOAlMi~NKeevzCzuTr5OPIJm3zFtkcmrGPYJ6glTA5EB7dwwd1eLBaoKl0CQ7LTnRw4Rw3sv-pH13G0tmD1EzyFau63FKFYpqAop-zWgurksu3Dz49gADijc0Dvnqd9ms2nnF71A3p7GQol-y1h5hHbu1SKhrXfFXTTJgW6OKmF9t-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hemet City Council adopted the city's five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update on July 8, 2025, approving staff's recommendation by a 3-0 vote. The presentation summarized projects completed since the last update, newly proposed projects, and a package of 16 projects requesting funding in fiscal year 2025-26.

Noah Rau, public works director and city engineer, told the council the CIP now lists 93 projects. He said staff removed 20 completed projects, added several new projects, modified four carryover projects and proposed funding requests for 16 projects totaling just over $9.3 million across eight funding sources. The sources include Measure A, Measure U fire funds, the sewer fund, the storm drain fund, the water fund, and two gas-tax accounts (highway user tax account and road rehabilitation and maintenance account).

Key requests in the update included additional funds for carryover projects, a $1.5 million increase to enlarge an ongoing sewer-main replacement into a larger scope, pavement rehabilitation and slurry seal programs (including an annual gas-tax-funded project of about $2.35 million), an allocation of $110,000 for a pavement condition survey and pavement management program update, traffic signal coordination on State Street (Dominigoni to Stetson), phased HVAC replacement at city facilities (about $60,000 per year), and $350,000 for backup generators at two well-production sites. Stormwater items included Salt Creek capacity restoration and Seattle Basin pump improvements.

Rau said a soccer facility design at Diamond Valley Lake Park was advanced and that coordination with other park agencies and additional funding will be required. He noted that some funding sources (for example, projects on Metropolitan Water District-owned property) may carry deed-restriction limitations.

Council members asked clarifying questions about specific items, including stop-signs and repaving for certain local streets and the status of Fire Station improvements. The measure was moved by Council member Clark, seconded by Council member Lodge, and passed unanimously by the three members present.

The council adopted a resolution approving the fiscal year 2025-26 through 2029-30 CIP and authorized administrative staff to establish appropriations for the new requests. Staff said projects will proceed to design, grant application or procurement as allowed by each funding source and subject to future council action when necessary.

The CIP update sets near-term priorities for pavement, water and storm infrastructure and several facility upgrades; staff will return with implementation steps and any grant-application outcomes.

","Council adopted a five-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update that lists 93 projects and requests just over $9.3 million in funding for 16 projects; staff described completed projects, new additions and specific funding requests including pavement work, water and storm improvements.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":56,"_73":56},6519602,"Hemet council approves $450,000 in downtown kitchen grants with strict build-and-open conditions",6543,2663000,9206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5350235-8060f9d2ec04578ca3a944c17956488a&start=2663&end=9206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5350235-8060f9d2ec04578ca3a944c17956488a/thumbnail_2663000.jpg","/articles/6519602/Hemet/Riverside-County/California/Hemet-council-approves-450000-in-downtown-kitchen-grants-with-strict-build-and-open-conditions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6519602-b9b01f7a20b1c46153ceda1b5bde2638/orig.mp4?Expires=1773640785&Signature=B3sx6YTnARnZF-5GImI8C5TCoi-b~KUsr8AOszhiAUihJvgXV3J9A5FhLW97HNTtdW6Jf7Ezo4gy9~1rSCMgJKFfTLoBV1xD9Y87iRzMViovqVsb5Iv7JwqVo6YN9IoS3Pcsvm39dJFzUbQ-qvICa42RzuA~MiSdHWBPOC42yYKKQg3nM6qK9CU71M9Iab1eOmRk9gmgFIYtae5cWXIo9s94yK0uckQnZ5BQEfWXgw9n6oWUnYYvvDWTFn2GjNd~QkNNboj9c-FoffMHW8cMapJz2~R3Wn3uWKCYDRb8nkjRX6BhLbXUudI2YjyZ0H0AxvpPDgZZCrfvUi3vh67dJA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hemet City Council approved $450,000 in downtown kitchen grants on July 8, 2025, voting 3-0 to award funding to downtown restaurant projects and to attach performance conditions, including a permit-and-build timeline and a two-year operating requirement.

City economic development staff designed the program as part of the Hemet Rises strategy to spur downtown revitalization by incentivizing new commercial kitchens. Ben Sanibel, economic development manager, told the council the program targeted downtown sites and was meant to help smaller local businesses open or expand kitchen capacity. Sanibel said the city had appropriated $300,000 in the current fiscal year and an additional $200,000 in the next year for kitchen grants.

Council members approved a motion that allocates $300,000 to Carlton Steakhouse and $150,000 to Kimball's Bistro; a request to waive certain fees for Samurai Sands was addressed separately under the motion's conditions. The council's approval requires applicants to file for building permits within 30 days of the council action, obtain a certificate of occupancy after completing improvements, open within 12 months of permit issuance, and remain in continuous operation for at least two years. Council members also directed that the grant be paid only as a reimbursable grant after the city issues a certificate of occupancy.

Applicants and supporters described the downtown potential at the meeting. Jessica Ellis, who said she has lived in Hemet for more than 20 years and is a founder of the Carlton Steakhouse proposal, framed the project as an investment in downtown's economy and identity: \"Carlton Steakhouse is more than just a restaurant. It is a collaborative project grounded in experience, vision, and local commitment.\" Matt McPherson, another project backer, emphasized the visibility of his site's location, calling it \"a gateway location to Downtown Hemet\" and said the project is \"shovel ready\" if the city funds are available.

Some council members emphasized accountability. Council member Lodge criticized infighting among some downtown owners and warned against rewarding what she described as \"bad behavior\" on social media and in dealings with the city; she told downtown property owners and potential grantees to stop fighting and focus on opening businesses. Lodge proposed the 30-day permit filing and 12-month opening deadlines the council adopted. Another council member recommended securing a two-year operations requirement by recording a lien or UCC financing statement on the equipment as a condition of reimbursement; the council included the two-year requirement in its approval.

City staff clarified the grant design and payout mechanism during the discussion: funding is reimbursable and will be disbursed after completion of the permitted improvements and issuance of a certificate of occupancy. The council's motion passed unanimously by a 3-0 vote (Council member Clark, Council member Lodge, Mayor Jackie Peterson voting yes).

The council and staff said the program remains open to inquiries and that staff has already received additional interest after the formal application window closed. City staff will bring required grant documents and administrative details back to applicants and will implement the council's performance conditions before releasing funds.

The grant awards and conditions are intended to speed openings while limiting the city's exposure to unused equipment or projects that fail to open. The city did not adopt a requirement that funds be released prior to occupancy; rather, disbursement will be by reimbursement after successful completion and inspection.","The Hemet City Council approved $450,000 in reimburseable grants to support new downtown restaurant kitchens, allocating $300,000 to Carlton Steakhouse and $150,000 to Kimball's Bistro and requiring quick permitting, opening timelines and two years of continuous operation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents urge council to reject Newland Simpson warehouse; council continues public hearing to July 14

Hemet council adopts five-year capital improvement program, asks for funding appropriations

Hemet council approves $450,000 in downtown kitchen grants with strict build-and-open conditions