Perris planning commission continues review of Acacia Pointe 41‑unit townhome project after residents raise dust, parking and privacy concerns

The City of Perris Planning Commission on May 7 voted 5‑0 to continue review of the Acacia Pointe project, a proposed 41‑unit townhome‑style condominium development on 11.6 acres south of Nuevo Road and east of Wilson Avenue. The commission asked staff and an ad hoc committee to work with the applicant, D.R. Horton, on additional materials and community outreach before the project returns at an undetermined date.

The commission's action follows a staff presentation and questions from commissioners and neighbors about a large temporary dirt stockpile, dust and rodent problems residents attribute to grading, parking sufficiency and privacy for existing houses that back onto the site. Planning staff recommended adoption of Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 2403 and approval of entitlements including General Plan Amendment GPA‑23‑05247, Zone Change 23‑05245, Plan Development Overlay 23‑05246, Tentative Tract Map 23‑05244 (TTM 38775) and Development Plan Review 23‑00019, subject to conditions of approval.

City planner Nathan Perez told the commission the Acacia Pointe site is currently graded and composed of 57 lots that would be consolidated into a single condominium lot and two lettered lots. The applicant proposes 41 townhome‑style condominium units in 34 detached two‑story buildings (7 three‑plexes, 15 four‑plexes, 12 five‑plexes) with three floor plans (three to four bedrooms), private rear open space around 250 square feet per unit, two landscaped drainage basins, a gated primary entrance on Wilson Avenue and a gated emergency egress on the southern property line. Perez said the project requests a Plan Development Overlay to accommodate lot‑coverage flexibility and that the proposed density (13.7 dwelling units per acre) falls within the proposed MFR‑14 range.

Dan Boyd, vice president for entitlements at D.R. Horton, said the product averages about 1,600 square feet per unit and that the firm plans to build and sell the homes to end users. Boyd said the project provides nearly 26,000 square feet of active recreation — pool, pool building (766 sq ft), bocce/pickleball areas, seating and dog‑waste stations — and that the developer omitted a clubhouse to keep estimated monthly HOA dues lower (Boyd estimated about $343 per month and said adding a clubhouse could raise that to more than $500).

Commissioners pressed the applicant and staff on site‑specific technical matters. Staff and the developer said the project meets the city’s parking requirements and provides a surplus of six guest parking spaces beyond code. Commission questions focused on parking geometry and street widths inside the gated community, fire access standards (the fire code requires a minimum 20‑foot clear width; staff noted 26 feet is commonly used and that turnaround at the north gate would meet a 54‑foot minimum), striping of parallel spaces, visitor parking distribution and whether rear units have convenient stall access.

Several neighbors spoke during the public comment portion and urged the commission to address immediate construction impacts and long‑term design details. Neighbor comments included: - A resident identified as Sonia said her backyard view is blocked by a large stockpile mound, and she blamed recent construction for dust, rodents and a loss of outdoor usability; she said she had not received notice of outreach the applicant reported. - Ronald Albert said cars from nearby apartments already overflow into neighborhood streets and said additional housing would worsen visibility and safety at street corners. - Alfredo Adriano said the stockpile is “obnoxious,” reported 25‑foot height above prior grade, said children have been observed on the slopes and described visible erosion and cracked soil adjacent to existing yards. - Luz Gomez said fine dirt is filling her pool and she pays more frequently for filter cleaning; she also said rodents have entered her home and that she is concerned about privacy and sightlines into her yard.

The applicant acknowledged a stockpile permit is in place and said the mounded dirt is temporary and intended for later grading operations. Boyd and staff committed to increase dust‑control measures and to provide contact information for neighbors to report problems during construction. The applicant also said the project’s building heights were comparable to a prior 2004 subdivision approval and that architectural details would be provided on all four sides of buildings.

After public comment the commission discussed requested clarifications and amendments. Commissioners and staff recommended a set of specific follow‑up items to return with the project, including: additional 3‑D exterior renderings (views from Nuevo Road and Wilson Avenue and from adjacent properties), an expanded color/material palette and elevations, enhanced landscaping and view‑protection screening along the east and south property lines, revised wall/fence exhibits and detail for perimeter treatments, inclusion of a one‑year maintenance requirement in Condition of Approval No. 45 as requested by Public Works, verification or striping of parallel parking stalls in the CC&Rs, demonstration of basin fencing and safety treatments, and additional community outreach including at least one ad hoc meeting between staff, the applicant and commissioners.

The commission then voted to continue the item to an undetermined date with direction to staff and the applicant to address the items above and to meet with an ad hoc subcommittee. The continuance motion passed by roll call vote 5‑0.

Staff said the continuance would let the applicant provide the requested materials and work through community outreach; the item will return to a future planning commission meeting after staff and the ad hoc committee determine a date.

Votes at a glance: the motion to continue to an undetermined date passed 5‑0.

The commission’s direction emphasized resolving immediate construction impacts (dust control and stockpile supervision) and producing clearer external visuals and screening plans for neighbors before the commission resumes formal consideration.