Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission recommends city council consider development agreement for 64‑acre ‘Triangle’ site
Summary
The Murrieta Planning Commission voted to recommend that City Council open a public hearing and consider a 10‑year development agreement covering about 64 acres known as the Triangle, which includes a first‑phase plan of roughly 279,000 sq ft, frontage improvements and potential billboard relocations; Vice Chair recused and the recommendation passed 3‑0.
The Murrieta Planning Commission recommended that the City Council consider a development agreement for the Triangle project, a multi‑phase redevelopment of the former Murrieta Springs Mall site covering about 64 acres.
David Siew, development services director, told the commission that the property was originally approved under Specific Plan No. 276 in 1990 and amended in 2013 and again in 2024 to convert the original indoor mall into an outdoor configuration and to allow an initial phase of approximately 279,000 square feet of new development. The development agreement would grant the developer 10 years of vested rights to build under the approved terms, and it would include provisions for development‑impact fee credits, annual monitoring, assignment/transfer processes and standard contract remedies including indemnification and insurance.
Siew said the agreement anticipates off‑site public improvements tied to the project, including widening and realigning an intersection on Sparkman Drive (referred to in materials as future Monroe Avenue) so project driveways would line up. The developer will attempt to acquire needed property parcels by negotiation; if unsuccessful the city retains the option to pursue eminent domain to secure right‑of‑way for the street improvements. The staff report cites the environmental document and identifies 1,675 parking spaces in the project’s analysis.
The staff presentation also noted a potential provision allowing conversion and relocation of legacy freeway billboards to digital formats subject to relocation agreements and a revenue‑share arrangement; staff said the exact number and placement of billboards will be determined later when those project components are brought forward.
On the environmental review, staff asked the commission to find the project consistent with the certified 2024 addendum to the subsequent Environmental Impact Report (EIR) prepared for the Triangle specific plan and recommended adoption of a resolution forwarding the development agreement as an exhibit to City Council.
After questions from commissioners about traffic, construction timing and coordination with public works’ Hot Springs Road widening (public works staff said crews would begin work on that CIP in roughly two weeks and that segment work would last about nine months), Commissioner DeSena moved that the commission open the public hearing, find the project consistent with the 2024 EIR addendum, and recommend approval of the development agreement to City Council. Commissioner Rose seconded. Vice Chair Wojciech recused himself from the item. The motion passed 3‑0.
Next steps: The commission’s action sends the recommended development agreement and the related resolution to the City Council for its public hearing and final decision.
