Commission begins review of general plan amendment to allow standalone RJ Noble asphalt plant amid resident concerns

The Riverside County Planning Commission on March 18 voted to initiate a foundational general plan amendment (FGPA 24,062) that would reclassify about 40 acres in Temescal Valley from Open Space Mineral Resources to Community Development Heavy Industrial to enable a standalone asphalt plant and ancillary facilities operated by RJ Noble.

The commission’s action was a procedural initiation — not project approval — and sets the path for future applications, a lot‑line adjustment, conditional use permit review and environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act. Planning staff told the commission a full environmental review (likely an EIR) would analyze dust, traffic, reclamation‑plan changes to surface mining permits and other potential impacts before any standalone permit could be granted.

Why it matters: residents said the plant’s existing operations and any expansion could affect neighborhood air quality, traffic and safety as more housing is approved nearby. Commissioners said initiating the FGPA will allow the county to require clear operational limits and mitigation in subsequent permit steps.

What proponents told the…