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Lake Elsinore planning commission approves Ortega Oaks Plaza convenience store, gas station and drive‑thru
Summary
The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission unanimously approved a redevelopment at 15890 Grand Avenue that will replace an existing quick‑service restaurant with a 3,375 sq ft convenience store, a 3,427 sq ft gasoline dispensing facility with 10 fuel positions, and a 1,400 sq ft drive‑thru restaurant; staff said the project is categorically exempt from CEQA as infill.
The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission voted unanimously to approve a redevelopment of Ortega Oaks Plaza at 15890 Grand Avenue that will replace a one‑story quick‑service restaurant with a 3,375‑square‑foot convenience store, a 3,427‑square‑foot gasoline dispensing facility with 10 fueling positions, and an attached 1,400‑square‑foot drive‑thru restaurant on a 3.57‑acre portion of the plaza.
Planning staff presenter Carlos Serna said the property (APN 381‑320‑025) lies in the city’s Lake Elsinore district, has a general commercial land‑use designation and neighborhood commercial zoning, and that the project, as conditioned, complies with the general plan and municipal code. “The project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act per CEQA Guidelines section 15332, under infill development,” Serna said, recommending that the commission adopt the staff resolutions.
Architect Greg Hahn of Empire Design Group, representing the applicant, told the commission the team has worked on the plan for five years and coordinated with Caltrans on access. “We had Caltrans that we had to deal with,” Hahn said, adding the redevelopment will improve the city gateway for drivers coming from Orange County and asking commissioners for approval.
One nearby resident, Danny Rabadi of Lake Terrace, asked where carpooling and parking would be located under the proposal, saying from his backyard he can see the marketplace. “I was concerned maybe, if there's still gonna be carpooling there,” Rabadi said. Hahn replied that Caltrans parking on the site will be maintained and that the project provides roughly the same number of parking spaces as exist today, noting the new parking will be relocated behind the market rather than in front.
Commissioners asked staff about jurisdictional boundaries and the traffic analysis. Vice Chair Gray and others noted a portion of the larger property borders unincorporated Riverside County and Lakeland Village; Serna confirmed the mapped site for this project is within the city and that the traffic study (completed in 2023) and the project’s queuing management conditions account for the proposed fuel positions and drive‑thru queuing.
After public comment, Commissioner Carroll moved to approve the project and Commissioner Ross seconded. The commission recorded a unanimous vote in favor and the chair announced the motion passed.
The commission also approved the meeting consent calendar earlier in the session. No additional staff or city attorney comments were made; commissioners closed the meeting with brief acknowledgments to local first responders. The meeting was adjourned at 6:15 p.m.
