Wildomar Planning Commission Opts For More Authority

The Wildomar Planning Commission has passed a resolution making it the highest decision-making body for projects that don’t contain legislative issues.

In a 5-0 vote Wednesday night, the commissioners agreed to adopt a resolution that strikes “Receive and File” procedures from the city’s zoning ordinance. The move allows the Planning Commission, not City Council, to have the final say on some development projects.

The decision comes after a Nov. 2 joint meeting in which City Council and the Planning Commission directed staff to prepare the zoning ordinance amendment.

According to Wildomar Planning Director Matthew Bassi, any projects that amend the city’s General Plan, a Specific Plan or zoning would still need to be approved by City Council after Planning Commission review.

Projects that do amend a city’s General Plan or Specific Plan are required to undergo what’s known as the full SB 18 process. SB 18 incorporates protections of California tribal cultural places into public and private land use. Along with public hearings, City Council is required to weigh in on projects that fall under SB 18.

Bassi said Wildomar’s Receive and File procedures were inherited by the county, which does require supervisors to review all projects after county planning commissioners weigh in.

“I have been in this business for 20 years, and I've never seen this until I got here (in Wildomar),” he said, arguing that striking the Receive and File process shortens the application time and reduces costs for developers who want to build in the city.

One public speaker and two attorneys representing the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians urged the commission to continue the vote until more information was made available. They said the public documents were vague on whether SB 18 projects would still go through the full approval process.

During discussion, Commissioner Robert Devine also wanted assurances that SB 18 projects would get City Council review.

City Attorney Thomas Jex offered an affirmative, “Absolutely.”

Bassi said amending the Receive and File process had “absolutely nothing to do with SB 18.”

Wednesday night’s decision by the commissioners will go to City Council for final approval.