Hundreds Of New Homes Planned For Murrieta, Public Comment Sought

MURRIETA, CA — Public comments are sought on a project that could see development of hundreds of homes, as well as apartments and businesses on 972 acres in unincorporated area of Murrieta. The project site is located just west of Interstate 215, south of Keller Road (see map above).

In order for the project to move forward, an Environmental Impact Report is required. A draft EIR has now been released and is available for public review and comment through June 22, 2020. The draft document addresses adverse environmental effects related to the "Murrieta Hills Specific Plan Amendment."

The master-planned community proposed under the MHSPA calls for 497 single-family homes on approximately 198 acres; 60 executive single-family homes on approximately 50 acres; and approximately 13 acres of mixed-use development that could include 193 apartment/condo units, retail, professional office, and other non-residential, service-oriented uses.

The project applicant is Benchmark Pacific.

"Significant and unavoidable" environmental impacts identified in the draft EIR include spoiling the existing visual character of the land, concerns over air quality and greenhouse gas emissions, and noise.

The draft EIR also identifies transit as a "potentially significant and unavoidable" impact.

Click here to view the draft EIR.

After all draft comments are received, a final EIR will be available later this year for public comment.

The city of Murrieta is named as the lead agency in the draft EIR; comments on the draft can be submitted to the city. Questions can be addressed to city of Murrieta Associate Planner James Atkins at JAtkins@MurrietaCA.gov ; or city of Murrieta Executive Assistant Lorie Abeles at LAbeles@MurrietaCA.gov .