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Calimesa planning panel removes western sound wall requirement for County Line Neighborhood Market
Summary
The Calimesa Planning Commission voted unanimously to remove a western sound wall requirement for the previously approved County Line Neighborhood Market, replacing it with required quieter car-wash equipment, door-closure rules and a southern wall; staff must verify installation before occupancy.
The Calimesa Planning Commission on a 5-0 vote approved a revision to the environmental assessment for the County Line Neighborhood Market that removes a previously required western sound wall and replaces it with alternative noise-mitigation measures. Chair Barron moved the resolution and Commissioner John seconded; the motion adopted PC Resolution 25-09 approving EA 23-03 Revision 1.
Planning Director Kelly Lucia summarized staff findings, saying the project — a previously approved service station, convenience store and drive-through car wash at County Line Road and California Street (DPR 2301, APN 410100037) — has not changed in footprint. What changed, Lucia said, is that an adjacent single-family residence to the west has been vacant for more than six months and therefore lost its legal nonconforming status; the property owner intends to convert that parcel back to commercial use, and the applicant asked staff to remove the western sound wall requirement.
"The updated acoustical study determined that with no occupied residence immediately to the west, the western wall is no longer required to meet the City's noise limits," Lucia said, while also noting staff’s recommendation that hours be limited and additional mitigation be required.
The commission adopted conditions that retain a southern sound wall and restrict hours of operation for the car wash to 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The approval also requires the installation of a specified quiet drying system (described in the record as an "80 HP IDC predator blower" or an approved equal) and a condition that the car-wash entrance door be closed during blower operation. Staff explained that construction drawings must indicate the drying system before a building permit will be issued and that staff will verify actual installation prior to issuing a certificate of occupancy.
Residents who live in the adjacent Californian Mobile Estates and nearby homes expressed concern about noise, traffic and quality of life during the public hearing. "We need help, not somebody that's gonna hurt us," said Elizabeth Avila, a mobile-home resident who urged commissioners to consider seniors in mobile-home parks as an affordable-housing population at risk from rent increases and site changes. Donna Johnson, another adjacent resident, asked, "How tall is the wall going to be? Are they just going to be readily able to just jump over it?"
Applicant representative Rensheesh told the commission the project was already approved and the applicant is taking additional steps to limit noise. "We're gonna put the doors on the front so noise gonna stay in," the applicant said, adding the team will comply with whatever the commission requires. Staff and the city engineer advised commissioners that some retaining-wall and site-height conditions already exist; because of grade differences, the visible wall from the mobile-home-park side will be roughly 6–7 feet tall in places even if the project is no longer required to provide an 8-foot wall measured from the gas-station grade.
Commissioners discussed whether a partial west-side wall or additional partial buffering could help deflect noise toward the retained southern wall; Vice Chair Breedingham suggested considering a partial wall to further protect nearby homes. Ultimately the commission approved the staff-recommended revision with the conditions described in the staff report.
After the vote staff reiterated permit timing: revised construction drawings showing the specified drying system and the plan-note/specification must be submitted and approved before a building permit is issued; staff will verify installation of the blower (or approved equal) before issuing a certificate of occupancy.
The commission adjourned and set its next regular meeting for Monday, January 12, 2026, at 6 p.m.
Votes at a glance PC Resolution 25-09 (EA 23-03 Revision 1): approved 5-0 (Chair Barron — yes; Commissioner Enciso — yes; Commissioner Keith — yes; Commissioner Newcomb — yes; Vice Chair Breedingham — yes).
