Planning Commission approves Conditional Use Permit for Kennedy Market redevelopment

The Riverside County Planning Commission voted to approve Conditional Use Permit 240012 to allow the conversion of the existing Kennedy Market and attached residences into a grocery market and delicatessen with an on-site commercial catering kitchen and second-floor administrative offices.

Dat Tran, the project planner, told the commission the proposal retains most existing buildings with a 282-square-foot expansion, adds two outdoor dining areas, trellises, new walkways and a 63-space parking lot on an adjacent 2.8-acre parcel. "The project before you today is a conditional use permit for the conversion of an existing 3,752 square foot grocery store with attached 2 story residence," Tran said, and staff recommended approval with conditions.

Applicant architect CJ Horstman, representing owners Ron and Denise Meraz, described the site as a longtime community staple and said the CUP is required primarily because the plans include catering kitchens intended for off-site catering and rental by community caterers. Horstman said the applicant proposes operating hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. for the overall facility and that large events would require separate special-event permits. "We're gonna have better lighting, security cameras, and a secure parking area for the users of our facility," Horstman said, adding the redevelopment should reduce loitering and encourage enforcement.

During public comment, owner Ron Mraz and several community members, including Coachella Valley Unified School District superintendent Dr. Francis Esparza, voiced strong support, citing jobs, student partnerships and neighborhood revitalization. Neighbors also raised concerns. Valerie Murphy, who said she lives directly across from the store, told the commission she and 40 neighbors will support the project only if "written operating conditions" are added to address after-hours gatherings, noise and loitering and asked that the 12 front-facing spaces nearest homes be gated or blocked after hours.

Horstman responded that the front curb area is in the public right-of-way and the project faces limits on building gates or fencing there, but he pledged to work with code enforcement and local law enforcement and said redevelopment and on-site security measures should help mitigate the problems.

A commissioner moved to approve the CUP per staff recommendation and the chair seconded; the commission approved the item as recommended (the transcript does not record a roll-call tally). The commission’s approval includes the conditions listed in the staff report and the standard requirement that the owner submit a substantial conformance application before the 10-year deadline stipulated in the conditions.

Next steps: the conditional use permit, as approved, moves forward under the listed conditions; complaints about noise, loitering or other violations remain subject to county ordinance enforcement and any project-specific permit conditions the county enforces.