PERRIS, Calif. (October 17, 2024) –– The City of Perris prevailed in winning a lawsuit in response to Menifee’s approval of Plot Plan No. PLN 21-0290, located just south of Ethanac Road and on the westerly side of Barnett Road, city officials announced. As a result of this lawsuit, the City of Menifee will now be required to set aside the project approvals and comply with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) before reapproving the project and ensure adequate traffic safety improvements are included in the project. Additionally, an Environmental Impact Report may also be necessary.
At its regular meeting on June 7, 2023, the Menifee City Council denied the City’s appeal of Plot Plan No. PLN 21-0290, and upheld the Menifee Planning Commission’s approval of the Ethanac and Barnett industrial project consisting of two concrete tilt-up buildings totaling 251,133 square feet, which includes approximately 206,019 sq. ft. of warehousing, 25,114 sq. ft of manufacturing area and 20,000 sq. ft. of office area on a 13.89 gross acre project site, and adopting a Mitigated Negative Declaration (“Project”).
In October 2021, the City submitted a letter raising concerns about the Project as it posed traffic safety issues and was not compatible with the planned commercial and residential development in the vicinity, requesting that Menifee consult with the City regarding the scope of the traffic impact study and requesting that certain environmental impacts be analyzed, including the Project’s health risks and traffic impacts.
However, these requests were not met and on March 8, 2023, the Menifee Planning Commission held a public hearing regarding the Project, voting to approve and adopt the Project. The City appealed the Menifee Planning Commission’s approval and, on June 7, 2023, the City’s appeal came before the Menifee City Council during its regular meeting.
The Menifee City Council voted 4-1 to deny the City’s appeal and uphold the Menifee Planning Commission’s approval of the Project. At the Perris City Council meeting on June 13, 2023, Perris officials reported the City will pursue legal action against the City of Menifee to protect the quality of life and safety for Perris residents.
Perris filed the lawsuit against the City of Menifee in July 2023. The City of Menifee has 60 days from the entry of judgement to appeal the ruling.
.jpg)