Airport land‑use commission approves five airport‑area development projects, finds most conditionally consistent

Riverside CountyAirport Land Use Commission members approved a series of land‑use applications affecting county airports, finding most proposals consistent with the applicable airport land‑use compatibility plans and attaching conditions where federal review or mitigation was required.

Staff planner Jackie Vega summarized several proposals and staff recommendations. For the Riverside Municipal Airport item (RC Hobbs, agenda item 3.1), Vega said the applicant proposed 85 townhomes on 5.4 acres and amendments to the Anza specific plan and zoning; because the property lies in Zone E, which does not limit residential density, staff recommended finding the specific plan amendment, general plan amendment and change of zone consistent with the 2005 Riverside Municipal Airport land‑use compatibility plan. The commission closed the public hearing with no public speakers and approved the staff recommendation unanimously.

On agenda item 3.2 (a D.R. Horton proposal affecting Hemet Ryan Airport), Vega said the 190.1‑acre site was proposed to be subdivided into 269 single‑family lots and would exceed FAA obstruction thresholds; the applicant has submitted FAA Form 7460‑1 and staff recommended conditional consistency with the 2017 Hemet Ryan Airport compatibility plan pending FAA Obstruction Evaluation Service review. Commissioners clarified the motion to find the specific plan amendment consistent and the tentative map conditionally consistent; the commission approved the recommendation unanimously.

Agenda item 3.3 (Bermuda Dunes airport influence area) proposed two warehouse buildings and a large self‑storage facility on 9.67 acres. Vega explained that building‑code occupancy calculations initially showed an inconsistency with Zone B1 criteria, but a parking‑code method and a submitted survey of comparable self‑storage facilities produced lower trip and occupancy estimates that, when applied, brought the project into compliance with average‑acre criteria; staff recommended conditional consistency and noted the FAA review requirement. The commission approved the finding and conditional plot plan unanimously after the applicant answered questions at the podium.

On agenda item 3.4, staff reviewed a previously considered 80.41‑acre motor‑track and industrial park proposal near Jacqueline Cochran Regional Airport. Vega said the project had been reviewed previously and that proposed building sizes decreased in most cases; heights and noise conditions had not changed, so resubmission to FAA was not required. A commissioner asked whether fuel storage was proposed; Paul Ruhl said no fuel storage was identified for the project and explained that fuel storage is not prohibited in zones C and D but is restricted and quantity‑limited closer to runways. The commission moved and approved the staff recommendation to find the plot plan and tentative parcel map consistent with the relevant plan, subject to conditions.

Separately, the commission approved a set of director's approvals (informational) and heard an update on the March Air Reserve Base compatibility study; Simon Hausman reported that county staff have assumed mapping tasks from the consultant to reduce costs, noted Perris adopted a resolution joining the amendment, and said staff is working with other cities on contributions and resolutions.

Most agenda items on development were approved unanimously; the minutes for July 10, 2025, were approved with one abstention by Commissioner Michael Geller.

The commission closed the meeting at 10:30 a.m.