HomeMy WebLinkAboutPC Reso 2022-16 PA 2021-13 (TPM 38124 IDR 2021-01) MSHCPRESOLUTION NO. 2022-16
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING ADOPTION OF FINDINGS THAT
PLANNING APPLICATION NO. 2021-13 (TENTATIVE PARCEL MAP NO. 38124
AND INDUSTRIAL DESIGN REVIEW NO. 2021-01) IS CONSISTENT WITH THE
WESTERN RIVERSIDE COUNTY MULTIPLE SPECIES HABITAT
CONSERVATION PLAN (MSHCP)
Whereas, Mark Severson, Saddleback Associates has filed an application with the City of
Lake Elsinore (City) requesting approval of Planning Application No. 2021-13 (Tentative Parcel
Map No. 38124 and Industrial Design Review No. 2021-01) to subdivide the 7.51-acre site into
12 parcels ranging in size from 0.34 acres to 0.88 acres. The project also proposes to develop a
neighborhood business park with 12 buildings (approximately 94,665 sq. ft. in total) ranging in
size from 5,900 sq. ft. to 10,200 sq. ft. that would be constructed in five (5) separate building
clusters. The project will provide 276 parking spaces including 21 accessible spaces, landscaping,
and related site improvements. The site is located southerly of the I-15 freeway, between Collier
Avenue and El Toro Road (APNs: 389-220-003, 004, 005, and 006); and,
Whereas, Section 6.0 of the Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP)
requires that all discretionary projects within a MSHCP Criteria Cell undergo the Lake Elsinore
Acquisition Process (LEAP) and the Joint Project Review (JPR) to analyze the scope of the
proposed development and establish a building envelope that is consistent with the MSHCP
criteria; and,
Whereas, Section 6.0 of the MSHCP further requires that the City adopt consistency
findings demonstrating that the proposed discretionary entitlement complies with the MSHCP
Criteria Cell, and the MSHCP goals and objectives; and,
Whereas, pursuant to Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC) Section 17.415.050 (Major
Design Review) and Chapter 16.24 (Tentative Map), Section 17.410.070 (Approving Authority),
and Section 17.410.030 (Multiple Applications) the Planning Commission (Commission) has been
delegated with the responsibility of making recommendations to the City Council (Council)
pertaining to tentative maps and design review applications; and,
Whereas, on May 3, 2022, at a duly noticed Public Hearing the Commission has
considered evidence presented by the Community Development Department and other interested
parties with respect to this item.
NOW THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The Commission has considered the Project and its consistency with the
MSHCP prior to recommending that the Council adopt Findings of Consistency with the MSHCP.
Section 2: That in accordance with the MSHCP, the Commission makes the following
findings for MSHCP consistency:
1. The Project is a project under the City’s MSHCP Resolution, and the City must make an
MSHCP Consistency finding before approval.
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The site is located within Criteria Cell #4266 which is an Independent Cell Group in the
Elsinore Sub-Unit (3) of the Elsinore Area Plan. Pursuant to the City’s MSHCP Resolution,
the project has been reviewed for MSHCP consistency, including consistency with “Other Plan
Requirements.” These include the Protection of Species Associated with Riparian/Riverine
Areas and Vernal Pool Guidelines (MSHCP, § 6.1.2), Protection of Narrow Endemic Plant
Species Guidelines (MSHCP, § 6.1.3), Additional Survey Needs and Procedures (MSHCP, §
6.3.2), Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines (MSHCP, § 6.1.4), Vegetation Mapping
(MSHCP, § 6.3.1) requirements, Fuels Management Guidelines (MSHCP, § 6.4), and
payment of the MSHCP Local Development Mitigation Fee (MSHCP Ordinance, § 4).
2. The Project is subject to the City’s LEAP and the Western Riverside County Regional
Conservation Authority’s (RCA) Joint Project Review processes.
The site is located within Criteria Cell #4266 which is an Independent Cell Group in the
Elsinore Sub-Unit (3) of the Elsinore Area Plan. Therefore, a formal and complete LEAP
application, LEAP 2008-02 was submitted to the City on May 27, 2008. The JPR application,
JPR 09-06-09-01 was submitted to the Regional Conservation Authority (RCA). The RCA
completed the review on June 22, 2009 and found the project consistent with both the Criteria
and Other Plan Requirements.
3. The Project is consistent with the Riparian/Riverine Areas and Vernal Pools Guidelines.
Natural watercourses or riparian vegetation and habitat of any kind are not present on the site.
The biological functions and values of Riparian/Riverine Areas or Vernal Pools that could
provide suitable habitats for endangered and threatened species of fairy shrimp are not
present on the site. In addition, the kinds of perennial or seasonal aquatic features that could
be classified as federally protected wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the Clean Water
Act are not present on the site. As such, the Riparian/Riverine Areas and Vernal Pool
Guidelines as set forth in Section 6.1.2 of the MSHCP are not applicable.
4. The Project is consistent with the Protection of Narrow Endemic Plant Species Guidelines.
The property is not in a Narrow Endemic Plant Species Survey Area (NEPSSA) for any narrow
endemic species, and no NEPSSA surveys are required. The proposed project is therefore
consistent with the Protection of Narrow Endemic Plant Species Guidelines.
5. The Project is consistent with the Additional Survey Needs and Procedures.
The MSHCP requires additional surveys for certain species if the project is located in certain
locations. Based on the RCA MSHCP Information Map for this site, it is located in Roughstep
8(HMU-Santa Ana Mountains). The map’s Conservation Description for the site states that it
is not located in a Criteria Area Species Survey Area, Amphibian Species Survey Area,
Burrowing Owl Survey Area, or Mammal Species Survey Area where additional surveys are
needed for certain species in conjunction with MSHCP implementation in order to achieve
coverage for these species.
6. The Project is consistent with the Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines.
The site has no physical connectivity to Proposed Linkage 2, and therefore has no direct or
indirect relationship to the assembly of Proposed Linkage 2. Also, it is not located within the
250-foot buffer used in the MSHCP to complete an edge analysis for indirect effects of land
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uses located adjacent to a MSHCP Conservation Area. As such, the treatment and
management of edge conditions will not be necessary to ensure that land uses adjacent to
the Linkage do not degrade water quality or inhibit floodplain processes. Therefore, the Project
will not be subject to Guidelines Pertaining to the Urban/Wildlands Interface for the
management of edge conditions such as lighting, urban runoff, toxics, and domestic predators
as presented in Section 6.1.4 of the MSHCP.
7. The Project is consistent with the Vegetation Mapping requirements.
Non-native grasslands are growing throughout the site. It is growing on heavily compacted
soils with little available oxygen, and could easily be classified as Ruderal Vegetation.
Invasive, non-native species are abundant, and dominate the landscape. Other species are
not that abundant and diverse, and include a few spring annuals that take root after the winter
rains. Species composition also includes a few typical native species. The surface of the site
also includes large areas that are bare ground with exposed soils and areas covered by gravel
that are void of any vegetation. Non-native plant species identified include * Australian
saltbush (Atriplex semibaccata),*slender wild oat (Avena barbata), *shortpod mustard
(Brassica geniculata), *brome grasses (Bromus diandrus and B. madritensis subsp. rubens),
*Tocalote (Centaurea melitensis), *common horseweed (Conyza canadensis), *filarees
(Erodium brachycarpum and B. cicutarium), *spotted spurge (Euphorbia maculata), *weedy
cudweed (Gnaphalium luteo-album), *foxtail barley (Hordeum murinum subsp. leporinum),
*Spanish clover (Lotus purshianus), *common horehound (Marrubium vulgare), *sourclover
(Melilotus indicus), *oleander (Nerium oleander), *annual bluegrass (Poa annua), *curly dock
(Rumex crispus), *Russian thistle (Salsola tragus), and *London rocket (Sisymbrium irio).
A large number of non-native tree species are growing on the site, and are included in the
Non-native grasslands Vegetation Subassociation. Species identified include *Tree of Heaven
(Ailanthus altissima), *river red gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis), *common fig (Ficus carica),
*Chinaberry (Melia azedarach), *tree tobacco (Nicotiana glauca), *Mexican palo verde
(Parkinsonia aculeata), and *Mediterranean tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima).
Native species include common fiddleneck (Amsinckia menziesii var. intermedia), sand
pigmy-stonecrop (Crassula connata), doveweed (Croton setiger), jimsonweed (Datura
wrightii), brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), interior California buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum
subsp. foliolosum), rattlesnake weed (Euphorbia albomarginata), California everlasting
(Gnaphalium californicum), slender sunflower (Helianthus gracilentus), alkali heliotrope
(Heliotropium curassavicum), telegraph weed (Heterotheca grandiflora), laurel sumac
(Malosma laurina), and black willow (Salix gooddingii).This mapping is sufficient under the
MSHCP and is consistent with the MSHCP vegetation mapping requirements.
8. The Project is consistent with the Fuels Management Guidelines.
The site is not located in the vicinity of a MSHCP Conservation Area. The most proximate
conservation area is Proposed Linkage 2 which is located approximately 0.3 miles west of the
site. In accordance with existing policies, brush management will not be required for future
development on the site. Plant communities with shrub species that create fuel loads are not
present along site property lines. The trees growing on the site will be removed. Therefore,
the Project is consistent with the Fuels Management Guidelines as set forth in Section 6.4 of
the MSHCP.
9. The Project will be conditioned to pay the City’s MSHCP Local Development Mitigation Fee.
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As a condition of approval, the Project will be required to pay the City’s MSHCP Local
Development Mitigation Fee at the time of issuance of building permits.
10. The Project is consistent with the MSHCP.
As stated above, the entire site is located within Cell #4266 of an Independent Cell Group in
the Elsinore Sub Unit (3) of the Elsinore Area Plan. Conservation within Cell #4266 will
contribute to the assembly of Proposed Linkage 2. The proposed project site is developed on
three sides. The project site then has no direct or indirect relationship to the assembly of
Proposed Linkage 2. There are no native habitats present on the site. The site is located in
the northeast corner of the Cell approximately 0.2 miles east of areas located in the western
portion that are targeted for conservation. It was concluded in the RCA JPR #: 09-06-09-01
case completed for the previous project proposed at the site did not conflict with the Reserve
Assembly requirements of the MSHCP. Therefore, conservation of the project site, or any
portion thereof, is not required. The proposed project is consistent with the MSHCP.
Section 3: Based upon the evidence presented, both written and testimonial, and the
above findings, the Commission hereby recommends that the Council find that the Project is
consistent with the MSHCP.
Section 4: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Passed and Adopted at a regular meeting of the Planning Commission of the City of
Lake Elsinore, California, this 3rd day of May, 2022.
John Gray
Chairman
Attest:
___________________________________
Damaris Abraham,
Planning Manager
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Damaris Abraham, Planning Manager of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, hereby certify that
Resolution No. 2022-16 was adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Lake Elsinore,
California, at a regular meeting held on May 3, 2022 and that the same was adopted by the
following vote:
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AYES: Commissioners Peters, Klaarenbeek, Carroll, Vice Chair Dobler, and Chairman Gray.
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
Damaris Abraham,
Planning Manager
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