Idy rezone Marion View land-use change approved

At its Wednesday, March 19 meeting, the Riverside County Planning Commission heard a request to make a change in the County’s General Plan Foundation Component. The site is between Marion View and Highway 243, which it abuts. It is at the end of Saddle Dr. and the terminus of both Linger Lane and Crestview Dr.

Currently, the five-acre parcel is split between two land-use designations. About 2.87 acres are already designated as Community Development: Medium Density Residential. But the other 2.5 acres of the parcel are designated as Rural: Rural Residential.

The applicant wants to change the 2.5 acres of R:RR to CD:MDR, so that the parcel can then be subdivided into five parcels, with the plan to develop single-family residences.

The Planning commission’s action does not subdivide the parcel, it simply consolidates it under one land-use designation – CD:MDR.

Ultimately the applicant must request the subdivision. At that time, the County and neighbors can focus on the affect of this change to the neighborhood and community.

“If the Foundation Component request is allowed by the Board of Supervisors, then the Riverside County Departments and corresponding Agencies (including Caltrans) will review the proposed implementing project to determine the feasibility of the proposed Project and what they will need to do as it relates to improvements,” Elizabeth Mora-Rodriguez wrote in an email to the Town Crier. “. . . the concerns noted relating to accessibility, and authority over Right-of-Way dedication will be addressed as well as part of the implementing project.”

“If they choose to continue to move forward in the process then we follow due process on the application and project submitted,” Mora-Rodriguez continued.

While there was no public comment at this hearing, according to the Planning report, two speakers objected to it in a January General Planning meeting.

According to Elizabeth Mora-Rodriguez, notices were sent to property owners within 600 feet to notify them of both a General Plan Advisory Committee and Planning Commission public hearings. No comments had been received yet.

However, at the General Plan Advisory Committee on Jan. 13, Two members of the public opposed the change and none offered support..

“Comments for the initiation of the GPA cited an effect on wildlife/animals in the area, maintain a rural and small community, and issues associated with traffic and dead trees,” Mora-Rodriguez said in her report to the Planning Commission.

However, Idyllwild resident Penelope Smrz has written to the initial Planning Staff member, Jose Merlan, and Mora-Rodriguez expressing concerns. These have not be recognized at this point in the process. Mora-Rodriguez is waiting for the official subdivision request to consider Smrz’s concerns.

The parcel is located in the Village Tourist Policy Area within the Riverside Extended Mountain Area Plan.