HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2025-12 - DA-2025-04 - Green Origins LE
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-12
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, RECOMMENDING THAT THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVE THE DEVELOPMENT
AGREEMENT AMENDMENT (DA-2025-04) FOR GREEN ORIGINS LE (DBA THE
SYNDICATE 1) LOCATED AT 504 CENTRAL AVENUE, BUILDING O (APN: 377-420-
002)
Whereas, Kim Cousins has filed an application with the City of Lake Elsinore (City)
requesting approval of Development Agreement (DA) No. 2025-04 (Attachment 7) to amend the
DA to revise the Community Benefit Fee (CBF) and establish a separate CBF rate for retail (e.g.
storefront, delivery to customers) versus non-retail (e.g. cultivation, distribution, manufacturing
and testing laboratory) cannabis operations. The proposed amendment also includes revisions to
the definitions and general provisions. The project is located at 504 Central Avenue, Building O
(APN: 377-420-002);
Whereas, Section 6.0 of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan (MSHCP) requires that all discretionary projects within a MSHCP Criteria Cell
undergo the Lake Elsinore Acquisition Process (LEAP) and Joint Project Review (JPR) to analyze
the scope of the proposed development and establish a building envelope that is consistent with
the MSHCP criteria;
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;
Whereas, pursuant to Chapter 19.12 (Development Agreements) of the Lake Elsinore
Municipal Code (LEMC) the Planning Commission has been delegated with the responsibility of
reviewing and making a recommendation to the City Council whether the development agreement
is consistent with the City’s General Plan and whether to approve the development agreement;
and
Whereas, on May 20, 2025, at a duly noticed Public Hearing, the Planning Commission
(Commission) considered evidence presented by the Community Development Department and
other interested parties with respect to this item and recommend the City Council approve the
development agreement amendment.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE AND ORDER AS
FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That in accordance with the MSHCP, the Commission makes the following
findings for MSHCP consistency:
1. The Project is not subject to the City’s LEAP and the Western Riverside County Regional
Conservation Authority’s (RCA) JPR processes as it is not located within a Criteria Cell.
2. The Project is consistent with the Riparian/Riverine Areas, Vernal Pools Guidelines, and
the Fuel Management Guidelines as the Project is wholly located within an existing
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building and does not include any earth disturbing activities therefore Sections 6.1.2 or
6.3.1 of the MSHCP are not applicable.
3. The Project is consistent with the Protection of Narrow Endemic Plant Species Guidelines
and the Additional Survey Needs and Procedures because the project is not located within
any Narrow Endemic Plant Species Survey Areas or Critical Species Survey Areas.
4. The Project is consistent with the Fuels Management Guidelines because the Project site
is not within or adjacent to any MSHCP Criteria Cell or conservation areas.
5. The Project has been conditioned to pay any applicable MSHCP Local Development
Mitigation fees.
Section 2: The Commission hereby finds and determines that the Project is categorically
exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (Cal. Publ. Res. Code §§21000 et seq. “CEQA”)
and CEQA Guidelines (14. Cal. Code Regs. §§15000 et seq.), specifically pursuant to Section
15301 (Class 1 – Existing Facilities), because the proposed project is an existing cannabis
business that is operating within a fully developed site and building. The proposed amendment to
the business’ development agreement would not result in new construction, additional square
footage, or expansion of the existing use.
Section 3: That in accordance with California Planning and Zoning Law and the Section
19.12.070 (Planning Commission report) of the LEMC, the Commission makes the following
findings regarding Development Agreement No. 2025-04:
1. It is consistent with the objectives, policies, general land uses and programs specified in
the General Plan and any applicable specific plan.
The proposed development agreement amendment will continue to help offset the
potential costs incurred by the City associated with the establishment of a cannabis facility
within an industrial district. The project site’s General Plan Land Use designation is Limited
Industrial (LI). The proposed project is consistent with the LI land use designation and with
the objectives, policies, general land uses and programs specified in the General Plan.
2. It is compatible with the uses authorized in, and the regulations prescribed for, the land
use district in which the real property is located.
The proposed development agreement amendment will continue to facilitate the
establishment of the cannabis facility within an existing industrial building. The cannabis
facility has been in operation which includes manufacturing and storage uses consistent
with other similar businesses within the Limited Industrial (LI) General Plan Land use
designation and the Limited Manufacturing (M-1) Zoning designation.
3. It is in conformity with public convenience, general welfare and good land use practices.
The existing cannabis facility has been operating in a manner that has not resulted in
negative impacts to the public and its general welfare. The proposed development
agreement amendment will ensure the cannabis facility continues to have beneficial
impacts to the surrounding community. Furthermore, the project has been reviewed and
conditioned by all applicable City departments to reduce the potential for any adverse
effects.
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4. It will not be detrimental to the health, safety and general welfare.
The proposed development agreement amendment will not be detrimental to the health,
safety, and general welfare of the community because the existing cannabis facility has
been operation without negative impacts or concerns. The development agreement
amendment will ensure the cannabis facility continues to operate in a safe manner.
Furthermore, the proposed project has been reviewed and conditioned by all applicable
City departments to reduce the potential for any adverse effects to the health, safety, and
general welfare.
5. It will not adversely affect the orderly development of property or the preservation of
property values;
The cannabis facility is an existing business that has been operation without land use
issues and has not caused adverse impacts for existing businesses and future
developments. The proposed development agreement amendment will ensure the
cannabis facility continues to operate as such.
6. It is consistent with the provisions of Government Code Sections 65864 through 65869.5.
The proposed development agreement amendment includes all mandatory provisions
required by Government Code § 65865.2 and does not include any provisions that are not
authorized by the Development Agreement Act.
Section 4: 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 5: Based upon the evidence presented, the above findings, and the Conditions
of Approval imposed upon the Project, the Commission hereby recommends that the Council
approve Development Agreement No. 2025-04.
Section 6: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Passed and Adopted on this 20th day of May 2025.
John Gray
Chair
Attest:
___________________________________
Damaris Abraham
Community Development Director
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STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Damaris Abraham, Community Development Director of the City of Lake Elsinore, California,
hereby certify that Resolution No. 2025-12 was adopted by the Planning Commission of the City
of Lake Elsinore, California, at a regular meeting held May 20, 2025 and that the same was
adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Devor, Pease and Peters; Vice Chair Carroll; and Chair Gray
NOES:
ABSTAIN:
ABSENT:
Damaris Abraham
Community Development Director
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