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Planning commission backs Renaissance Ranch Commerce Center amendments, forwards EIR certification to supervisors
Summary
After extended staff and applicant presentations and divided but ultimately supportive commissioner remarks, the commission recommended that the Board of Supervisors certify the EIR, tentatively approve a general-plan amendment and specific-plan amendment for the Renaissance Ranch Commerce Center in Temescal Canyon, citing community benefits including water district payments and planned traffic signals.
The Riverside County Planning Commission on Nov. 19 recommended that the Board of Supervisors certify the environmental impact report and tentatively approve amendments to the Renaissance Ranch Commerce Center specific plan and general plan land-use designations in Temescal Canyon.
Staff presented the proposal to redesignate portions of a 157-acre specific plan area to accommodate light industrial and business-park uses, retain substantial open-space conservation habitat (an increase to about 58.88 acres), and provide circulation improvements including an industrial collector ("Street A"). The EIR, published June 9, 2022, identified potentially significant unavoidable impacts for greenhouse gas emissions (above the county’s 3,000-metric-ton threshold) and vehicle miles traveled; staff said all feasible mitigation was included and noted that statements of operating considerations would be required when the Board considers certification.
Applicant representatives said they reduced light-industrial acreage in response to public comment, increased open-space conservation habitat, and committed to community benefits including a per-square-foot payment to Riverside County Fire (estimated up to $728,323 based on full build-out), construction of three traffic signals (estimated construction cost $1.5 million; developer contribution beyond a calculated fair-share of about $670,500), and $7.6 million the developer previously paid Elsinore Valley Municipal Water District toward reclamation-plant improvements.
Public comment was split. Several neighbors and property owners urged the commission to preserve the existing residential designation and raised concerns about outreach, emergency access and fire safety, water and sewer availability, and grading or surveying irregularities. Supporters, including some who signed applicant petitions, said the proposal would bring local jobs and small-business opportunities.
Commissioners debated trade-offs between preserving rural character and adding local employment and infrastructure. After discussion and with conditions noted for later technical review of grading, traffic, and fire mitigation, the commission voted to recommend forwarding the EIR certification and plan amendments to the Board of Supervisors (meeting transcript records the commission vote as in favor). The Board will decide whether to certify the EIR and approve the amendments; if it does, implementing projects and plot plans would return for further review with required technical studies and community outreach.
Next steps include the Board of Supervisors’ consideration of certification and any future CEQA documents and implementing development approvals.
