The City of Lake Elsinore's Planning Commission convened on September 16, 2025, to discuss a significant variance request for a new single-family home in the Country Club Heights area. The proposal seeks to reduce the required side yard setback from 12 feet to 5 feet on the western side of the property, which consists of seven contiguous parcels totaling approximately 0.68 acres.

Principal Planner Nancy Quinn presented the case, highlighting the unique challenges posed by the steep hillside topography and irregular lot shape, which complicate development. The proposed variance aims to align the new home’s setback with neighboring properties, addressing physical hardships that prevent the applicant from utilizing the same development rights as others in the area.

Quinn emphasized that the city’s general plan recognizes the physical constraints of development in Country Club Heights, supporting the rationale for the variance. The staff recommended that the Planning Commission approve the variance, noting that it would not grant a special privilege but rather accommodate the existing conditions of the site.

The meeting proceeded without any public comments or written communications regarding the variance, and the applicant, Hector Shabirra, chose not to present further information. The commission is expected to make a decision on the variance, which could pave the way for new residential development in a challenging landscape, reflecting the city’s ongoing efforts to balance growth with environmental considerations.