HomeMy WebLinkAboutReso 2025-41 - RDR 2024-10 - Tuscany Crest - MSHCP
RESOLUTION NO. 2025-41
A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE
ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, ADOPTING FINDINGS THAT RESIDENTIAL DESIGN
REVIEW NO. 2024-10 IS CONSISTENT WITH THE WESTERN RIVERSIDE
COUNTY MULTIPLE SPECIES HABITAT CONSERVATION PLAN (MSHCP)
Whereas, Kurt Bausback, KB Homes, has filed an application with the City of Lake
Elsinore (City) requesting approval of Planning Application No. 2024-19 (Residential Design
Review No. 2024-10) to construct 204 detached single-family residences and related site
improvements for a new residential development known as Tuscany Crest on a 52.7-acre site
within Tentative Tract Map (TTM) No. 33725 in the Ramsgate Specific Plan’s Medium Low Density
(MLD) land use designation. Lot sizes for TTM 33725 range in size from a minimum of 5,000 sq.
ft. with premium larger lots around 14,000 sq. ft. The project site is located southeast of Highway
74, west of Greenwald Avenue, and north of Interstate 15 and encompasses Assessor’s Parcel
Numbers (APNs): 349-240-043 through 047, 349-240-006, 349-240-054 through 056, 349-240-
024 through 025, 349-240-034, 349-240-038, 349-240-072, and 349-240-075);
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;
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, Whereas, pursuant to Section 17.415.050 (Major Design Review) of the Lake
Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC) the Planning Commission (Commission) has the responsibility
of reviewing and approving, conditionally approving, or denying design review applications; and,
Whereas, on November 04, 2025, 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 Planning Commission has considered the project and its consistency with
the MSHCP prior to adopting Findings of Consistency with the MSHCP.
Section 2: That in accordance with the MSHCP, the Commission makes the following
findings for MSHCP consistency:
Docusign Envelope ID: 6DEA9DDE-F0C8-4E5B-B4E7-7650B941E792
PC Reso. No. 2025-41
Page 2 of 4
1. The Project is a project under the City’s MSHCP Resolution, and the City must make an
MSHCP Consistency finding before approval.
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 (JPR) processes.
The project is located in Independent Cell Group Criteria Cells 4174 and 4176. A formal and
complete LEAP application, LEAP 2006-04 was submitted to the City in June 2006 and the
JPR process with RCA has been completed.
3. The Project is consistent with the Riparian/Riverine Areas and Vernal Pools Guidelines.
No vernal pools exist on the site; therefore, vernal pool species are not expected to occur.
Section 6.1. 2 of the MSHCP focuses on protection of riparian/riverine areas and vernal pool
habitat types based on their value in the conservation of a number of MSHCP-covered
species, none of which has any potential to occur on the project site. Impacts to riparian
habitats on the map site include the 0.22 acres of herbaceous wetland. Remaining impacts to
riparian/riverine resources are limited to non-wetland waters of the U.S. Impacts to the small
riparian area and unvegetated drainages will be mitigated through acquisition of credits from
the Riverside-Corona Resource Conservation District Mitigation Bank, which provides
significant enhancement to riparian habitat along the Santa Ana River through removal of giant
reed (Arundo donax). A number of the species targeted for conservation through consistency
with Section 6.1. 2 occur within bank boundaries, and the bank is within the MSHCP
Conservation Area boundaries. Further jurisdictional analysis conducted (HELIX
Environmental dated February 2018 and CDFW on January 2019) that included impacts
associated with the proposed project modifications. The proposed sewer lift station and
internal circulation reconfigurations would occur within the original construction footprint that
was previously evaluated for consistency with MSHCP. Potential impacts to riparian and
riverine resources associated with the offsite sewer line extension would be avoided by Jack
and Bore methods underneath Wasson Creek.
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. Additionally, no NEPSSA species
were observed during focused biological surveys conducted on the project site. 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 Criteria
Docusign Envelope ID: 6DEA9DDE-F0C8-4E5B-B4E7-7650B941E792
PC Reso. No. 2025-41
Page 3 of 4
Area Species Survey Areas, Amphibian Species Survey Areas with Critical Area, Burrowing
Owl Survey Areas with Criteria Area, and Mammal Species Survey Areas with Criteria Areas
of the MSHCP. The project site is located outside of any Critical Area Species Survey Area
(CASSA) for plants and mammals and no CASSA plant species were observed during the
focused surveys for the site. However, the project site is located within the area requiring
burrowing owl surveys. A focused burrowing owl survey was conducted on the site during the
2006 breeding season (March 1 - August 31), in accordance with accepted guidelines. The
focused survey determined that although the site contains 35 acres of low to moderate
potential owl habitat, no burrowing owls were observed on the property and the few burrows
with potential to support owls showed no sign of owl occupation. Therefore, the subject project
is consistent with the Additional Survey Needs and Procedures of the MSHCP.
6. The Project is consistent with the Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines.
Section 6.1. 4 of the MSHCP set forth guidelines which are intended to address indirect effects
associated with locating development in proximity to the MSHCP Conservation Area, where
applicable. Future Development in proximity to the MSHCP Conservation Area may result in
Edge Effects that will adversely affect biological resources within the MSHCP Conservation
Area. To minimize such Edge Effects, guidelines shall be implemented in conjunction with
review of individual public and private Development projects in proximity to the MSHCP
Conservation Area. Through implementation of mitigation measures the project will minimize
the identified potential indirect impacts with potential future open space to the south.
7. The Project will be conditioned to pay the City’s MSHCP Local Development Mitigation Fee.
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.
8. The Project is consistent with the MSHCP.
The project is consistent with the MSHCP and meets the biological issues and considerations
of the MSHCP.
Section 3: Based upon the evidence presented, both written and testimonial, and the
above findings, the Commission hereby finds that the project is consistent with the MSHCP.
Section 4: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Passed and Adopted on this 4th day of November, 2025.
John Gray
Chair
Docusign Envelope ID: 6DEA9DDE-F0C8-4E5B-B4E7-7650B941E792
PC Reso. No. 2025-41
Page 4 of 4
Attest:
Damaris Abraham
Community Development Director
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. 2025-41 was adopted by the Planning Commission of the City of Lake
Elsinore, California, at a regular meeting held November 04, 2025 and that the same was adopted by
the following vote:
AYES: Commissioners Devor, Pease and Peters; and Chair Gray
NOES: None
ABSTAIN: None
ABSENT: Vice Chair Carroll
Damaris Abraham
Community Development Director
Docusign Envelope ID: 6DEA9DDE-F0C8-4E5B-B4E7-7650B941E792