Large-Scale Development At Ortega Highway, Grand Ave.: More Talks

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A proposed development that would bring apartment buildings, a gas station, fast-food restaurants, a carwash, and other businesses to a 12.60-acre site at the northwest corner of Grand Avenue and state Route 74/Ortega Highway in Lake Elsinore will get another public hearing later this month.

During Tuesday's Lake Elsinore Planning Commission meeting, the commissioners voted 4-0 to continue discussion of the proposed 123,026-square-foot Bamiyan Marketplace mixed-used development to Feb. 15 as a result of public opposition toward the project. The additional time will give city staff and the commissioners more time to review the public's concerns, according to the commissioners.

Planning Commission Chair John Gray was absent during the Feb. 1 meeting.

Ten local residents spoke against the project on Tuesday, citing traffic, quality of life, environmental and other concerns. One speaker called the proposed project "overzealous" and "overambitious." She said the development situated at the "gateway" of the Lake Elsinore Valley would result in "collateral damage" if it were built.

The project calls for three phases of development:

Phase 1 would include an Arco gasoline station with a 6,840-square-foot canopy; a 4,354-square-foot am/pm convenience store with an attached 1,960-square-foot "quick-serve" restaurant (with no drive-thru service); and a 4,054-square-foot automated self-serve carwash.

Phase 2 would include two 2,400-square-foot fast-food restaurants with drive-thrus. The second phase would also include a two-story mixed-use building with six commercial/retail spaces totaling approximately 23,000 square feet on the ground floor and 14 apartments or condominium units totaling 20,000 square feet on the second floor.

Phase 3 would include five three-story multi-family residential buildings containing up to 60 units totaling 53,220 square feet. The apartments or condos would include enclosed parking. In deciding to continue the discussion, Commissioner Michael Carroll told the audience that he has expressed concern to city staff about the project.

If the commissioners vote to move the project forward during the Feb. 15 Planning Commission meeting, City Council members would still have a final say.

Regularly scheduled Lake Elsinore Planning Commission meetings are held in the Cultural Center, 183 N. Main Street, beginning at 6 p.m. on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Livestream access is available. Click here to see meeting agendas.

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