REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Damaris Abraham, Community Development Director Date:October 14, 2025
Subject: Notice of Decision – Planning Commission Approval of Planning Application No. 2025-08 (Sunnyslope Variance) for a Variance to Reduce the 12-Foot Required Side Yard Setback for a New Proposed Single- Family Home in the R-H Zone
Applicant:Frank Arredondo
Recommendation
Receive and File the Notice of Decision for Planning Application No. 2025-08 approved by the Planning Commission on September 16, 2025.
Background
Planning Application No. 2025-08 is a request for a variance (VAR-2025-07) to deviate from the 12-foot required side yard setback for a new proposed single-family home in the R-H zone. The approximately 2,900 square feet single-family home is proposed to be single-story with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a three-car garage. The design features a mid-century modern architectural style with minimalistic color palette and exterior siding/elements to complement the existing character of the surrounding neighborhood.
The proposed project is located on seven separate but contiguous parcels for a combined project site of 0.68-acres. More specifically, the parcels are located between Skyline Drive and Sunnyslope Avenue within the Country Club Heights District and are currently zoned Hillside Single-Family Residential (R-H). The Assessor Parcel Numbers (APNs) include 375-272-001, - 002, -003, -004, -005, -036, and -037.
Pursuant to Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC) Section 17.72.080.B, the side yard setback requirement for a main dwelling unit in the R-H zone is five feet on one side and 12 feet on the other side. The project is requesting to reduce the side yard setback along the western property line from 12 feet to five feet which is a seven-foot reduction. No reduction is requested for the PA 2025-08 (Sunnyslope Variance)
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other side yard setback along the eastern property line since it complies with the five-foot minimum requirement.
The applicant requested a variance due to the physical hardship based on the existing natural topography and terrain of the project site that precludes them from complying with the minimum side yard setback requirement. Staff is supportive of the variance request from the side yard setback given the smaller size of the developable area, unique lot shape configuration, narrow dimensions, and steep natural topography.
On September 16, 2025, the Planning Commission, by a 5-0 vote, took the following actions:
1. Found that the proposed project is exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15303 (Class 3: New Construction or Conversion of Small Structures) and Section 15305 (Class 5: Minor Alteration in Land Use Limitations); and
2. Adopted A RESOLUTION OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF LAKE ELSINORE, CALIFORNIA, APPROVING VARIANCE NO. 2025-07 TO ALLOW A REDUCTION OF THE REQUIRED SIDE YARD SETBACK FROM 12 FEET TO 5 FEET
ALONG THE WESTERN PROPERTY LINE FOR A PROPOSED SINGLE-FAMILY HOME LOCATED IN THE R-H ZONE OF THE COUNTRY CLUB HEIGHTS DISTRICT (APNs: 375- 272-001, -002, -003, -004, -005, -036, AND -037).
Discussion
The Planning Commission voted 5-0 to approve the project at its regular meeting on September 16, 2025. No written public comments were received. Only the applicant team attended the hearing and spoke on their item during the public comment period of the meeting.
The Planning Commission’s decision is final, and no action by the City Council is required unless the City Council, by majority vote, elects to review and reconsider the Commission’s decision by ordering the matter set for a future noticed public hearing according to Section 17.410.110.F of the Lake Elsinore Municipal Code (LEMC), or the applicant or an interested person files a complete appeal application within 15 days of this notice appearing on the City Council’s Agenda.
Fiscal Impact
The time and cost related to processing this application have been covered by fees paid by the applicant. No General Fund budgets have been allocated or used in the processing of this application. Project approval does not fiscally impact the City’s General Fund. Mitigation to protect the City fiscally have already been included in the Conditions of Approval.
Attachments
Attachment 1 – Planning Commission Staff Report