Council approves using developer in‑lieu funds for Castellano Trail design and improvements in Crestmore Heights

Jurupa Valley city staff and council discussed how to spend $700,000 in developer in‑lieu funds tied to an earlier commercial project and directed staff to pursue trail, fencing and signage improvements in the Crestmore Heights neighborhood.

Principal planner presented results from community meetings that favored trail and fencing improvements along Tarragona Drive and monument signage. Staff said an initial engineering and design scope would likely require about $100,000; a vinyl fencing estimate presented to council was roughly $200,000. Staff also outlined two surfacing options for trails — asphalt or decomposed granite (DG) — with DG offering a lower‑cost, equestrian‑friendly tread but higher long‑term maintenance considerations.

Council members asked for refined cost estimates and confirmed that final contract and project approvals would return to council for authorization. The council moved and approved using the in‑lieu funds for Crestmore Heights improvements and to initiate design and outreach steps; the motion passed unanimously.

"In order to initiate some of the preliminary costs for planning and designing that type of work, we're anticipating that engineering would need about $100,000 to start," staff told council during the item. Staff said additional funding shortfalls for a full build‑out would be reported back to the city council and could be covered by other sources or scaled.

Council also affirmed a desire to preserve equestrian access and asked staff to consider fencing, DG equestrian tread where appropriate, solar lighting and monument signage as priorities.