HomeMy WebLinkAbout2026-1529 DA-2025-13 Central Tree Collective Amendment Revision of Community Benefit Fees
ORDINANCE NO. 2026-1529
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, APPROVING THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT AMENDMENT
(DA-2025-13) FOR CENTRAL TREE COLLECTIVE INC., LOCATED AT 18532
PASADENA STREET (APN: 377-430-023)
Whereas, Misty Babcock, Central Tree Collective, Inc, has filed an application with the
City of Lake Elsinore (City) requesting approval of Development Agreement (DA) No. 2025 -13 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 amend ment also
includes revisions to the definitions and general p rovisions. The project is located at 18532
Pasadena Street (APN: 377 -430-023);
Whereas, Section 6.0 of the Western Riverside County Multiple Species Habitat
Conservation Plan (MSHCP) requires that all discretionary projects within an 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 (Commission) has been delegated with the
responsibility of reviewing and making a recommendation to the City Council (Council) whether
the development agreement is consistent with the City’s General Plan and whether to approve
the development agreement;
Whereas, on February 17, 2026, 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, and adopted a resolution recommending that the Council approve
Development Agreement Amendment No. 2025-13; and
Whereas, on March 10, 2026, at a duly noticed Public Hearing, the Council has
considered the recommendation of the Commission as well as evidence presented by the
Community Development Department and other interested parties with respect to this item.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE,
CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE, DETERMINE, AND ORDER AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: That, in accordance with the MSHCP, the Co uncil 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 Council 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’s 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 Section
19.12.080.B. of the LEMC, the Council makes the following findings regarding Development
Agreement Amendment No. 2025-13:
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 welf are, 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 hea lth, 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 operating 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 on 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 operating 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: Approval. The City Council hereby approves the Development Agreement
Amendment No. 2025-13 attached hereto as Exhibit A with such modifications as approved by
the City Attorney. The Mayor and City Clerk are hereby authorized and directed to execute and
attest, respectively, the Development Agreement Amendment on behalf of the City of Lake
Elsinore. The City Clerk is directed to transmit the Development Agreement Amendment to the
County Recorder for recordation no later than ten (10) days after th e adoption of this ordinance.
Section 5: Severability. If any provision of this Ordinance or its application is held invalid
by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions, sections, or
applications of the Ordinance which can be given effect without the invalid provision or ap plication,
and to this end, each phrase, section, sentence, or word is declared to be severable.
Section 6: Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective at 12:01 a.m. on the
thirty-first (31st) day after the date of adoption.
Section 7: Certification. The City Clerk shall certify to the passage of this Ordinance and
shall cause a synopsis of the same to be published according to law
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the
City of Lake Elsinore, California, on this 24th day of March 2026.
Robert E. Magee
Mayor
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Attest:
Candice Alvarez, MMC
City Clerk
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE )
I, Candice Alvarez, MMC, City Clerk of the City of Lake Elsinore, California, do hereby certify that
Ordinance No. 2026-1529 was introduced by the City Council of the City of Lake Elsinore,
California, at the Regular meeting of March 10, 2026 and adopted at the Regular meeting of
March 24, 2026 and that the same was adopted by the following vote:
AYES: Council Members Tisdale, Manos, and Carroll; Mayor Pro Tem Sheridan; and Mayor
Magee
NOES: None
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
Candice Alvarez, MMC
City Clerk
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