Riverside County holds scoping session for Temecula Parkway residential project's draft EIR

Riverside County planning staff held a scoping session on Feb. 9, 2026, for the draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the Temecula Parkway Residential Development Project, a two‑phase subdivision in the Rancho California Southwest area of unincorporated Riverside County.

Planning director and hearing officer John Hildebrand opened the session and staff planner Danielle Harper Scott outlined the CEQA process, saying the session was intended to gather public input on environmental issues, alternatives and mitigation measures. "The scoping session is not a public hearing, and no decision on the project will be made today," Harper Scott said.

County materials list the project site as about 84.09 acres south of De Portola Road and west of Anza Road, adjacent to the city of Temecula. Staff said Tentative Tract Map 38,995 would subdivide roughly 61.49 acres in the north phase into 278 single‑family lots and request a zone change from Rural Residential (RR) to Planned Residential (R4). A south‑phase tentative tract map listed in the county materials as transcribed in the NOP was shown as 3909079 and would subdivide about 22.6 acres into 46 single‑family lots. Together the two parcels total the 84.09 acres described by staff.

Harper Scott described planned site improvements including reconstruction and realignment of Temecula Parkway along the project frontage (2,272 linear feet within existing right-of-way), widening and improvements on De Portola Road to Anza Road, new curb, gutter and sidewalk, landscaping and grading, and off‑site storm drain and sewer work. Staff also identified 13.57 acres proposed as permanent open‑space conservation, including the Temecula Wash and surrounding riparian habitat.

Staff said the Notice of Preparation (NOP) for the EIR was circulated Dec. 22, 2025; the county opened an extended 40‑day NOP review from Jan. 5 through Feb. 13, 2026, and reminded attendees that written comments are due Feb. 13 at 5:00 p.m. Comments will be accepted by email or standard mail and will be considered in preparing the draft EIR. Harper Scott said the draft EIR will later be released for a 45‑day public review, followed by a final EIR and hearings before the planning commission and the Board of Supervisors.

County staff, the hearing officer and the applicant also took questions. Hildebrand asked staff to clarify the differing day counts shown on slides; staff confirmed the 40‑day NOP period applies to the current NOP and the 45‑day figure refers to the future draft EIR circulation for public review.

Several attendees spoke during the public‑comment portion. Online commenter Dennis Daley said he was "mostly concerned about the south side" and asked how far back from Temecula Parkway the housing would extend before conservation begins, noting neighbors had previously been told the parcels could not be touched because of natural habitat, including chaparral and burrowing owls. "We're all very concerned," Daley said.

In person, resident John McKeel, who operates a commercial equestrian facility across De Portola Road from the site, said the north phase density (278 homes on about 61.49 acres, roughly one house per 9,634 square feet as described by McKeel) would harm the corridor’s rural character and be incompatible with equestrian operations. He urged alternatives including one‑to‑two‑acre parcels, buffers, and rural‑compatible design.

Brandon Barnett of KWC Engineers, representing the applicant, introduced himself as the outreach lead and said the applicant would follow up with more community outreach and be available after the meeting. In response to a county question about maintenance of the southern conservation area, Barnett said "that property will be donated to the RCA" and that the applicant would provide adequate access and any required provisions for future access.

The hearing officer closed the public hearing after the scheduled commenters spoke and the meeting was adjourned. Staff said they would connect the applicant with the county’s Third District for future outreach. The county will accept written comments on the NOP through Feb. 13, 2026, at 5:00 p.m.; the draft EIR and subsequent public review period will follow as described by staff.

What happens next: County staff will prepare the draft EIR, release it for the 45‑day review period, and schedule hearings before the planning commission and the Board of Supervisors. Written NOP comments received by Feb. 13 will be incorporated into scoping for the draft EIR.