Riverside County supervisors agreed to continue a contested land‑use initiation that would remake roughly 78 acres in the Leon–Keller area, after residents described long‑standing rural lot protections and the applicant asked for more time to work with neighbors.

Tim Wheeler, a planner with the county, summarized the proposal as an initiation to change foundation‑component designations on two parcels and to subdivide about 78 acres into a configuration that would include roughly 46 acres for residential development and about 31.5 acres designated as open space. Staff said the project was removed from the Leon–Keller policy area in a recent planning cycle and the current initiation would allow submission of an implementing project.

Public speakers and petitioners urged the board to preserve the area’s existing rural character and noted historical local protections. Multiple residents and property owners said they had organized petitions and opposed medium‑density development that they said would be inconsistent with nearby 2.5‑acre and larger lots.

Representing the applicant, Derek Barber said the owner had previously held the site and that the purpose of the initiation was to make the property feasible for development; he told the board he would meet with neighbors. After discussion, the board voted to continue the item to Oct. 28 to give the applicant, staff and neighborhood leaders time to negotiate potential changes in density and site design.

What’s next: County staff and the applicant will meet with the supervisor’s office and neighborhood representatives before the Oct. 28 hearing. The item will return with any revised exhibits or staff reports that reflect agreed changes.