Commission backs March Plaza business park concept, recommends council approval

The Perris Planning Commission voted unanimously on March 19 to recommend that the City Council adopt a Mitigated Negative Declaration and approve a specific plan amendment, tentative parcel map and development plan permitting a 66,686-square-foot, three-building business-park development at the northwest corner of Harley Knox Boulevard and Perris Boulevard.

The March Plaza project would convert the previously entitled March Plaza shopping-center layout into a business-park configuration with up to 22 small multi-tenant units in three buildings across 4.37 acres. Staff presented the proposal as a plan development overlay (PDO) to allow business-park and compatible commercial uses in a commercially zoned parcel; the PDO specifically excludes heavy industrial uses and preserves storefront character along the right-of-way.

Environmental review and public comment: An Initial Study–Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) was prepared and circulated; staff received comment letters from regional and state agencies and from the Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER), which argued that an EIR should be required on air, noise and biological-resource grounds. Applicant consultants and the city’s environmental reviewer explained that the project tiers from the Perris Valley Commerce Center specific-plan EIR, that project-specific technical studies were prepared (biology, air quality, noise), and that the MND and included mitigation measures address identified impacts. Planning staff concluded the MND was adequate for the proposed business-park uses.

Project design and community amenities: Project architect Brian Poliquin described a mid-century–modern–inspired design with storefront glazing facing internal courtyards, roll-up doors for smaller delivery vehicles on rear elevations, and employee amenity areas and picnic seating. The project proposes approximately 15 percent landscape coverage and is sited to use off-site roadway and specific-plan utilities already constructed for the original March Plaza entitlements.

Commission deliberations and vote: Commissioners asked about potential wildlife and noise impacts raised by SAFER and heard from the project’s environmental consultant, who said the project’s technical reports and the MND conclude impacts are less than significant with mitigation and that the earlier specific-plan EIR provided appropriate programmatic analysis. After discussion, the commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval to City Council (Resolution 25-03), directing staff to include standard conditions and the project record for council review.

Next steps: The Planning Commission’s approval is a recommendation; staff will transmit the MND, mitigation monitoring program and project materials to City Council for final action. Opponents may appear at council or pursue other comment avenues during the council public hearing.