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Council grants final extension for Bahmian Marketplace entitlements; residents press developer on signage and gateway
Summary
The council approved a final extension of time for entitlements tied to the Bahmian Marketplace mixed‑use project, allowing up to six years on the tentative tract map and shorter extensions for permits; residents urged the developer to reconsider signage and gateway design.
Lake Elsinore — The City Council unanimously approved a final extension of time for the Bahmian Marketplace project Dec. 10, granting the maximum additional time allowed under local code for a tentative tract map (up to six years) and shorter statutory extensions for conditional use, design review and sign program approvals.
Principal Planner Nancy Winn told the council the applicant requested additional time to coordinate required public improvements with utility agencies and Caltrans. "Staff has determined there are no new conditions or changes to the conditions of approval and further environmental review is not required," Winn said, noting this would be the last extension available under existing approvals.
Public commenters raised aesthetic and gateway concerns. Mary Jo Ramirez, a 33‑year resident, urged the city and developer to ensure the signage and entryway reflect Lake Elsinore’s identity. "The entryway is very important," Ramirez said, asking the developer to consider more city‑prominent signage rather than a family‑honoring name that she felt did not reflect the city.
Alex Sheft, the applicant’s development project manager, said the applicant would take resident feedback into account and said the project team is negotiating with Caltrans and expects mid‑2025 final approvals from the agency. Sheft said building and grading permits are currently under plan check with the city and the applicant is working to move forward "as expeditiously as we can."
Council members thanked residents for input and directed staff to relay neighborhood signage concerns to the applicant; the council then voted to approve the extension in a single motion. Staff described the extension as exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the terms presented.
If the applicant does not complete entitlements or construction within the extended timeframe, the city said the outstanding approvals would expire and would require reapplication under rules in effect at that later time.
