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Development could bring retail, restaurants and
aquatic center to Menifee
By: BRIAN ECKHOUSE - Staff Writer–The Californian SUN CITY ---- A proposal to commercially develop a
large tract of land fronting Interstate 215 just south
of Newport Road would not only bring much needed large
retail stores and restaurants to Menifee Valley, but
could improve its chances to incorporate as a city,
3rd District Supervisor Jeff Stone told an audience of
130 on Wednesday night.
In addition to two or three big box stores ----
possibly including a Home Depot ---- the
750,000-square-foot project, proposed the development
firm, Donahue Schreiber, could have an aquatic center
plus nine acres devoted to a town hall.
"We're trying to get a regional aquatic center," said
Verne Lauritzen, Stone's chief of staff, in an
interview during Wednesday's meeting. "We'd like to
get an Olympic-size pool, but we're not sure we're
going to be able to accomplish that."
Webb Hall in Sun City hosted the meeting of the
Menifee Valley Municipal Advisory Council, a
five-member board appointed by Stone, who was the
event's keynote speaker.
Lauritzen said Stone hoped the pool at the aquatic
center, which would be paid for by the developer,
would have at least 9 to 14 lanes.
"That way, we could use it for some (local) clubs," he
said.
If a deal between the county and Donahue Schreiber can
be reached, the development would boost sales and
property tax dollars that could help the valley in its
bid to incorporate. State law says a new city cannot
be established if it hurts its home county
financially.
Unless there is a significant increase in its tax
revenue base, Menifee Valley, including Sun City,
would lack the financial base it would need as a city
to pay for police and fire protection along with daily
operating costs, according to a 2005 comprehensive
financial analysis of the area conducted by consultant
Economic & Planning Systems of Berkeley.
Currently, there are few big retail stores and
supermarkets in the valley.
"We'd really accomplish two things: development (area
residents) need, and provide facilities for the
community," Lauritzen said of the proposed commercial
development. "It's a huge, huge major project."
Stone, who said he was "shocked" by the condition of
Sun City's roads, also promised to have about a
quarter of them repaved this year.
He joked that there were "gardens" growing in some of
the community's roads.
The repavement project could cost $3 million, he said.
Other matters discussed at Wednesday night's meeting
included the tending of abandoned buildings in Sun
City and the status of Project LIFT, a Quail
Valley-based center for low-income families.
Resident Roald Schroeder of Sun City complained that
abandoned buildings at Encanto Drive and McCall
Boulevard have become a dumping ground.
Stone said the county would clean it up.
As for Project LIFT ---- which founder Rita Peters
figured would be forced to close due to financial
difficulties ---- Stone said he is optimistic the
county could use community development block grant
funds to buy the 2.1-acre site LIFT has leased. If a
deal can be reached between the county and the Long
Beach-based property owners, LIFT would be saved from
closure, Stone said.
Contact staff writer Brian Eckhouse at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626
www.nctimes.com/articles/2006/02/09/news/californian/22_30_422_8_06.txt
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