A variety of activities are in the offing that affect the Idyllwild Community Center (ICC) property. In discussing the ICC site, confusion sometimes comes up about what is an Idyllwild Community Recreation Council (ICRC) function and what involves fundraising to build the planned community center, a project currently managed by a separate committee now headed by Bill Sanborn, of Sanborn Engineering. Sanborn is also the Idyllwild area trustee for the Hemet Unified School District.
The first important activity is a hearing for an 8,000-square-foot playground plot before the Riverside County Planning Commission to consider a conditional use permit for construction of the playground at the site. The playground is an ICRC project that ICC Vice President Dawn Sonnier has been leading. Sonnier has also successfully driven fundraising for the playground to more than its $100,000 goal.
The hearing has been set for 9 a.m. “or as soon as possible thereafter” on Wednesday, Oct. 26. The hearing is at the Riverside County Administrative Center, 4080 Lemon Street, 1st Floor Board Chambers, in Riverside. It is being held so that the Commission can receive public comment, both for and against the planned construction. After public comments, the Commission can amend, “in whole or in part” the proposed project. The Planning Department has already determined that the proposed playground will not have a significant effect on the environment and has recommended adoption of a mitigated negative declaration.
The ICC committee is also gearing up for three events involving the property. The first two are public meetings to be held on Thursday evening, Oct. 27 and Saturday morning, Oct. 29. The purpose of these meetings is to solicit ideas and suggestions from the community about what people would like the center to include and to receive any concerns the residents might have about the center itself or the process of building it. It is also an opportunity for the community to ask questions about the current status of the project.
Two weeks later on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13, the committee will invite the public to participate in a virtual tour of the proposed center, as it is currently envisioned. Attendees will be able to see the current size of the footprint and what elements are currently planned to be included in the Center.
