Planning commission approves Lakefront Plaza facade remodel and parking reduction

The Lake Elsinore Planning Commission on Tuesday approved a revitalization plan for the Lakefront Plaza commercial center at 31681 and 31701 Riverside Drive, voting unanimously to grant commercial design review and a requested reduction in parking spaces.

Carl Sterner, presenting for city planning staff, told commissioners the project covers two existing one-story, multi-tenant buildings (13,837 sq ft and 11,959 sq ft), would remodel building exteriors, remove a portion of Building 2, relocate an exterior stairwell indoors, install an ADA wheelchair lift, and add new signage, landscaping and parking-lot improvements. Sterner said the applicant requested a reduction from the municipal-code requirement of 179 parking spaces to 135 and that a parking analysis supporting the reduction "looks at the mixture of land uses as well as the peak parking demand times throughout the day," concluding the reduction "does support this proposed production" and would not have an adverse effect on traffic or pedestrian safety. Sterner also said the project is categorically exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act under the 'existing facilities' exemption (CEQA Guidelines, section 15301) and recommended adoption of the resolutions in the staff report.

The commission asked whether the project could encourage off-site camping in certain fenced corners of the property. Commissioner Williams said she supported the design and praised the landscaping but worried that a fenced area on the lower right corner facing Riverside Drive "might create more of a habitat, to kind of encourage the camping, the urban camping." Williams said she was "personally in favor" of the project but raised that concern for mitigation or design consideration.

Commissioner Ross responded by suggesting the applicant keep a "602 letter" so property owners or managers could give law enforcement permission to enter the property to address trespassing and encampments. No public speakers addressed the matter during the public-comment period; the chair confirmed there were no requests to speak.

After a brief discussion, Commissioner Ross moved to approve the application; the motion was seconded by Commissioner Carroll. The commission took a roll-call vote and approved the resolutions and associated entitlements for Planning Application No. 2023-17 by a 5-0 vote.

City staff later reminded commissioners that the next meeting might be affected by Labor Day and advised commissioners to plan accordingly. The meeting was adjourned at 06:11; the next meeting is scheduled for September 3 (subject to confirmation).