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Hemet council approves subdivision and permitting updates, realigns development review; multiple items pass unanimously
Summary
The Hemet City Council on Sept. 23 approved revisions to parcel-merger and right-of-way permit rules, adopted an organizational realignment for development review, approved consent items including firefighter representation changes, and continued an appeal on a parcel map. All roll-call votes recorded 5-0.
Hemet City Council members voted unanimously Sept. 23 to adopt several ordinances and administrative changes affecting subdivisions, street/right-of-way permitting and the city’s development-review structure.
The council introduced and approved an ordinance tightening parcel-merger rules in the Hemet Municipal Code (Chapter 70, Article 16), approved minor amendments to the city’s dedication-and-improvement requirements for public right-of-way (Chapter 66, Article 1, Section 2), and approved an organizational realignment that dissolves the Hemet Fire and Life Safety Agency for the purpose of reassigning fire-prevention and building-and-safety functions under a single department director. The council also approved routine consent-calendar items, including item 17F establishing representation for the Hemet Firefighters Association’s management unit, by unanimous roll call.
The ordinance amending Chapter 70 limits parcel mergers to fewer than five parcels for an administrative parcel-merger process and requires larger mergers to proceed via parcel map (which triggers planning commission and council review). Staff said the change closes a loophole that permitted large administrative mergers without council notice. Deputy Public Works Director Jolene Farris presented the item and said the change clarifies application submittal requirements and eligibility criteria.
On the right-of-way item, staff proposed giving the city engineer limited authority to grant variances from dedication and improvement rules under defined thresholds to reduce permit-processing delays. Councilmember comments supported the streamlining while preserving an appeal to council.
On organizational structure, the council approved moving fire-prevention, code enforcement, building-and-safety, and related development functions to align under a single community-development director and to relocate associated staff back to City Hall. City staff said the reorganization aims to speed the permit process, improve customer service and accommodate investments in technology and staffing.
Votes at a glance (formal roll calls recorded in the meeting): - Parcel merger ordinance (Chapter 70, Article 16): motion by Councilmember Lodge; second by Councilmember Clark; roll call 5-0 (Clark, Lodge, Mayles, Krupa, Peterson — all “Yes”). Outcome: introduced/approved and directed staff to file required notices. - Streets and sidewalks/right-of-way ordinance (Chapter 66, Article 1, Sec. 2): motion by Mayor Pro Tem Krupa; second by Councilmember Lodge; roll call 5-0. Outcome: introduced/approved and directed staff to file required notices. - Organizational realignment/dissolution of Hemet Fire & Life Safety Agency: motion by Councilmember Lodge; second by Councilmember Mills; roll call 5-0. Outcome: approved; staff to implement organizational changes. - Consent item 17F (firefighters representation/management unit): motion by Mayor Peterson; second by Mayor Pro Tem Krupa; roll call 5-0. Outcome: approved. - Appeal on Tentative Tract Map 03/1930 (Ramona Plaza subdivision, item 15C): council continued the public hearing and deliberation to Oct. 14, 2025 (motion by Mayor Pro Tem Krupa; second by Councilmember Lodge; roll call 5-0).
Why this matters: The parcel-merger and right-of-way code updates change how property owners and developers may combine lots or obtain building permits, adding clearer thresholds and an appeal path to council. The realignment centralizes development review functions into a single reporting structure, which staff said should reduce delays and improve coordination on building, fire-prevention and code enforcement matters.
What’s next: The approved ordinances are to be finalized and notices filed as required; staff will begin implementing the organizational changes and will return with any needed budget adjustments. The Ramona Plaza parcel-map appeal will return to council Oct. 14 for further action.
Ending: The council adjourned to its next regular meeting on Oct. 14, 2025.
