City Council votes 3-2 to deny certification of Newland Simpson project EIR

Concerns over road safety and infrastructure took center stage at the Hemet City Council's special meeting on July 14, 2025. Council Member Clark expressed significant worries about the impact of new construction on local roads, stating, "I’m really worried about our streets and our roads." He criticized a proposed development's offer of only 1,000 linear feet of road improvements, calling it "nothing" and emphasizing the potential damage from construction trucks.

The council debated the approval of the Newland Simpson project, which included a motion to certify the final Environmental Impact Report (EIR). However, the motion failed with a 2-3 vote, as Council Members Clark, Lodge, and Mayor Peterson opposed it. Following this, a motion to deny the project was introduced and passed with a 3-2 vote, indicating a clear stance against the development.

In addition to the main discussion, the council addressed various consent calendar items, with one item pulled for clarification regarding contract amounts. The council ultimately approved the remaining items unanimously.

The meeting underscored the council's commitment to addressing community concerns about infrastructure and development, setting the stage for ongoing discussions about the future of Hemet's roads and neighborhoods.