Politics & Government

Microbrewing In Wildomar Put On Hold

Environmental concerns prompt further review of microbrewing in Wildomar.

 

An amended zoning ordinance that would have paved the way for micro- and nano-brewers to establish businesses in Wildomar has been stymied for now due to two letters of protest lodged by the community.

Wildomar City Council was set to vote on the amended ordinance during its meeting Wednesday night. But newly hired City Attorney Thomas Jex put council members on notice that the city had received the letters of protest on the microbrew matter.

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“There are significant issues and I have not had a chance to review them,” Jex said.

Both protest letters contain the same complaint: Wildomar microbrewers shouldn’t be exempt from California Environmental Quality Act review.

Find out what's happening in Lake Elsinore-Wildomarwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

CEQA review, among other things, mandates there be public disclosure on projects in which there is environmental impact. 

 “ … a fair argument exists that the ordinance would cause significant environmental impacts regarding traffic, health, safety, (and) water supply … ,” the March 14 protest letters from Martha Bridges and Gerard Ste. Marie state.

The protest letters claim conditional-use permits should be required for the businesses. Under the amended ordinance, a microbrewer could move into an existing building zoned commercial or manufacturing without obtaining a CUP.

Additionally, the protest letters point out that the amended ordinance put forth to council members by the city’s planning commission contains language stating the amendment is consistent with the city’s general plan. However, the letters claim that, due to an alleged violation by the city that it did not adopt a general plan within 30 months of incorporation, any finding about general plan conformity is void under government code.

As a result of concerns raised in the letters, the microbrew issue has been moved to the April 11 City Council meeting to allow time for further review.

CORRECTION: The above story was updated March 16. The original story stated Wildomar was allegedly in violation of government code for not adopting a general plan within "30 days" of incorporation. The letters (see a copy of one attached -- both letters are identical) state the city is in violation for not adopting a general plan within "30 months" of incorporation.


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