Planning commission approves Collier Veil Shops project with drive‑through restaurant

The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission approved planning application 2023‑13, Collier Veil Shops, clearing the way for an approximately 7,200‑square‑foot commercial center that includes a quick‑service drive‑through restaurant on a 1.4‑acre site within the Albert Hill Ranch specific plan.

Staff presented the proposal and the commission voted to adopt the resolutions approving the permits and design reviews, with the motion passing unanimously. Planning staff identified the approvals on the proposal as a conditional use permit, commercial design review, and sign design review; staff also determined the project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under CEQA section 15303 for small‑scale new construction.

Carlos Serna, presenting on behalf of planning staff, summarized the site as located along the easterly edge of Collier Avenue about 460 feet southeast of the Collier Avenue and Nichols Road intersection (Assessor’s Parcel Number 389‑200‑031). Serna described the project as a one‑story, multi‑tenant commercial building with three retail units and an adjacent quick‑service drive‑through restaurant; staff said the drive‑through queue is designed to hold 10 cars and that the approval is conditioned on a queuing management plan to prevent site circulation and parking impacts during peak hours. Staff also described sign design review requests for a building identification sign on Collier Avenue and a freeway‑oriented sign adjacent to Interstate 15.

Erwin Rontowa, the applicant, said a grading plan exists and that the proposed site grading is intended to be compatible with the existing parcel and nearby development; he told the commission he did not have exact elevation measurements at the hearing. Rontowa said the project will provide two access points; he stated there is not yet a shared‑parking agreement with the adjacent AMPM convenience store but that he would consider pursuing one.

No members of the public registered to speak on the item during the public hearing. Commissioners asked clarifying questions about relative elevations and ingress; staff and the applicant responded that grading details are shown on the project grading plan and that the primary site access points are on the uphill slope rather than directly on Collier Avenue.

The commission took a roll call vote on the staff recommendation. The vote record shows Commissioner Ross, Commissioner Carroll, Commissioner DeVore, Vice Chair Gray and Chair Peters voted in favor; the motion passed unanimously.

The approvals recorded in the hearing include the conditional use permit to allow a drive‑through and an outdoor dining area, commercial design review, and sign design reviews. Staff noted the project complies with the city’s general plan, municipal code, the Albert Hill Ranch specific plan and the MSHCP as conditioned.

The commission’s action is conditioned as described in the staff report, including the requirement for a queuing management plan; the record does not specify any schedules for additional environmental review or implementation dates.