Planning Commission approves temporary Vista Lago charter campus at Albert Heer Ranch Community Park

The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve a temporary campus for Vista Charter Public Schools, allowing four modular classrooms and one modular office to be installed at Albert Heer Ranch Community Park to serve kindergarten through ninth grade for up to 170 students during a temporary period.

City planner DeWise Abraham told the commission the project would use a portion of the park parking lot at 28200 Lake Street, remove 41 parking spaces temporarily, include temporary utilities, fencing, outdoor recreation and signage, and implement a one-way in/out circulation with drop-off on Lake Street and exit onto Nichols Road. Abraham said staff found the project consistent with the general plan, the specific plan and the municipal code and that other departments had reviewed and conditioned the project. He reported the project is exempt from CEQA and from MSCCP requirements as noted in the staff report.

The applicant, Alyssa Ross of Vista Charter Public Schools, described the organization as a small network of six operating schools and said the interim campus would let the charter serve local families while it develops a permanent site. Ross said the charter is under contract for a parcel on Riverside Drive and expects to be fully entitled and back before the city by March 2026. Ross said the temporary campus would open quickly once approved; she told the commission the project already has building permit review completed, furniture and staff ready, and about 110 families committed at the time of the hearing.

Chamber of Commerce representative Kim Joseph Cousins spoke in support, saying the Riverside County Office of Education approved the charter and that the school would provide choice for families in Lake Elsinore. Commissioners asked about traffic, timing and parking: the applicant said the school would stagger schedules between two groups, provide early drop-off beginning at 7 a.m., and that many families travel together, reducing peak-car counts. Staff said conditions require on-site staff to monitor arrival and departure and that engineering and timing considerations should limit traffic impacts; changes such as adjusting start times could be made after the campus opens.

Commissioners also asked about Americans with Disabilities Act parking; staff said the applicant will provide ADA parking and that the overall park parking supply and event timing were reviewed to avoid shortages. The applicant confirmed temporary utilities will be above ground.

Following the public hearing, Commissioner Peters moved to approve the project. Vice Chair Carroll seconded the motion. The commission voted unanimously, 5-0, to approve the temporary modular campus as described in the staff report.

The commission’s action authorizes the temporary installation and the design review described in the staff report; other required permits (building, utility connections) remain subject to standard review and approval. Staff noted the city will continue code and zoning updates related to the general plan, and the applicant said it expects to return with permanent entitlements for its Riverside Drive parcel.