Planning Commission OKs 1-year extension for Habitat for Humanity tract map in Haruba Valley

Rinaldo Aquino, senior planner for the city, told the Planning Commission that Habitat for Humanity Riverside requested a third one-year extension to Tentative Tract Map 37601 for a 5.3-acre subdivision in the north Haruba Valley area. The proposal covers 26 single-family, all-affordable homes targeted for low-income veteran families, with lot sizes ranging from about 5,000 to 6,002 square feet and two open-space lots (0.64 and 0.16 acre).

Aquino said the original project approval dated to April 16, 2015, and that prior entitlements included a General Plan amendment, a rezone to R6 to allow greater flexibility for affordable housing, a tentative tract map and a mitigated negative declaration. The applicant received subsequent approvals and extensions; the site development permit was reapproved by director action in August 2024 with an expiration in 2026, and the tentative map most recently had an expiration of May 27, 2025.

City staff recommended adoption of Resolution PC-2025-16 to grant a third one-year extension, which would move the tentative map expiration to May 27, 2026, and noted that the extension is consistent with the Subdivision Map Act, the municipal code, and the project’s previously adopted mitigated negative declaration. Aquino told commissioners that the applicant is finalizing bonds and grading approvals and that the anticipated start of construction (grading or groundbreaking) was late summer/early fall.

David Hahn, executive CEO of Habitat for Humanity Riverside, answered commissioners’ questions about construction and home features. Hahn confirmed that the vinyl fencing proposed between lots carries a one-year warranty from the applicant and said four applicants had completed prequalification and four more were in the application process. Hahn said mortgages would be provided through CalVet and that deed restrictions would include an intent to keep homes occupied by veteran families for a period (he discussed a 10‑year commitment as part of deed restrictions). He also said the development would be all-electric and would be governed by a homeowners association that would maintain the common areas.

Commissioners asked about fencing durability, buffers along adjacent parking areas, tentative start dates (Hahn said late September to early October), and whether applicants must live or work in Riverside County (Hahn said residence or employment in Riverside County is a requirement). Staff clarified that map extensions may not exceed nine years from the original approval and that the requested extension fits within those limits.

After public testimony was closed and no public commenters spoke on this item, a motion to adopt Resolution PC-2025-16 to grant the one-year extension for Tentative Tract Map 37601 passed unanimously, 5-0. The approval is subject to the previously adopted conditions of approval and the project’s existing mitigated negative declaration.