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Hemet forms ad hoc committee to negotiate Stock Farm redevelopment; preservation of barn, stables, house and grandstand emphasized
Summary
City staff presented a developer conceptual plan for the Hemet Stock Farm that proposes roughly 400 housing units plus mixed-use and a hotel; council voted to form an ad hoc committee (Mayor Jackie Peterson and Councilmember Tom Lodge) to assist in negotiations and highlight historic-asset preservation.
City staff presented a conceptual development proposal for the Hemet Stock Farm Sept. 23 and the council voted to create an ad hoc committee to help guide negotiations with the prospective developer.
The City Manager summarized a conceptual plan showing roughly just over 400 residential units, a mixed-use strip along State Street (retail on the ground floor, housing above) and a proposed hotel on the northeast portion of the site. The plan also depicts a preserved historic corridor and several heritage buildings. Staff said the project is within easy walking distance of downtown and the planned railroad-adjacent Class I bike-and-pedestrian trail funded by an approved grant.
Council discussion stressed the importance of preserving four historically documented structures previously identified by a historic-preservation study: the barn, the stables, the house and the grandstand. Councilmember Clark specifically requested adherence to the earlier preservation report and urged that a heritage-park concept be included in negotiations.
Councilmember Mayles moved to appoint Mayor Jackie Peterson and Councilmember Tom Lodge to an ad hoc committee to work with the city attorney, city manager and staff on terms and negotiations; the motion passed 5-0. Councilmembers indicated they expect many staff hours and multiple meetings as negotiations proceed and asked staff to respect the historic-preservation recommendations while pursuing public benefits and downtown connectivity.
Why this matters: The Stock Farm site borders downtown Hemet and could significantly affect downtown vitality, historic preservation, local housing supply and pedestrian/bicycle access. The ad hoc will be the council’s vehicle for shaping negotiated public-benefit terms, preservation commitments and the developer agreement.
Ending: Staff will use the ad hoc as a primary review group for term sheets and negotiation strategy; council expects follow-up meetings and multiple briefings as draft terms are developed.
