City Council Chambers
29844 Haun Road
Menifee, CA 92586
Bill Zimmerman, Mayor
Bob Karwin, District 1
Ricky Estrada, District 2
Lesa Sobek, District 3
Dean Deines, District 4
SPECIAL AGENDA
Menifee City Council
Special Meeting Agenda
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
3:45 PM Special Meeting
Jeff LaDue, Chair
Ben Diederich, Vice Chair
Joe Long, Commissioner
Randy Madrid, Commissioner
Chris Thomas, Commissioner
SPECIAL MEETING (3:45 PM)
1. CALL TO ORDER
2. ROLL CALL
3. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
4. DISCUSSION ITEMS
4.1 Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Provide input and direction to staff on developing a vision statement for the Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan.
5. ADJOURN
Decorum Policy Notes
Public participation is anticipated and encouraged at meetings. Please turn your cell phones off or refrain from talking in the audience or outbursts that may be disruptive. Mutual respect is requested.
Staff Reports
Materials related to an item on this agenda, including those submitted to the City Council after distribution of the agenda packet, are available for public inspection at City Hall located at 29844 Haun Road or by contacting the City Clerk Department at (951) 6726777 during normal business hours.
Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act
If you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, you should contact the City Clerk Department at (951) 6726777. Notification 72 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to assure accessibility to this meeting.
Menifee Mayor and City Council
December 4, 2024
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CITY OF MENIFEE
SUBJECT: Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop MEETING DATE: December 4, 2024
TO: Mayor, City Council and Planning Commission
PREPARED BY: Doug Darnell, Principal Planner
REVIEWED BY: Cheryl Kitzerow, Community Development Director APPROVED BY: Armando G. Villa, City Manager
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
1. Provide input and direction to staff on developing a vision statement for the Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan.
DISCUSSION
In early 2024, City staff and the City’s consultant team, led by RICK Engineering, began work on the Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan for an approximately 300-acre area located west of the I-215 Freeway between Scott and Keller Roads. The Specific Plan area is the same area that is currently within the Economic Development Corridor – Southern Gateway (EDC-SG) Zone.
The Specific Plan will embody a specific vision for the Southern Gateway area, which will provide the necessary development standards and design guidelines to create a thriving innovation district at the City’s southern gateway.
Project Goals
•Create a vision for the Menifee Innovation District that reflects the input from stakeholders and the Menifee community.
•Identify the area’s opportunities to leverage and constraints to address through the creation of a Specific Plan.
•Evaluate and identify infrastructure needs to support future development of the area. •Prepare development standards and design guidelines that promote an appropriate mix of uses that will implement the Specific Plan’s vision. •Ensure the Specific Plan is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Public Outreach: The following is an overview of public engagement to date, including input obtained from City Council/Planning Commission interviews.
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 1
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December 4, 2024
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City of Menifee Staff Report
Menifee Innovation District SP Workshop
December 4, 2024
2 4
5 9
•Community Workshop #1 was held on June 25, 2024. Approximately 50 people attended the workshop in-person. At the workshop, findings from the Opportunities and Constraints Report were presented and community input was received on various breakout topic stations, including land use and zoning, urban design, mobility, economics and utilities. •Interviews with City Council members and Planning Commissioners were held on September 10 and 12, 2024.
Building upon the initial outreach and input described above, the purpose of this workshop is to:
•Provide a Project Overview
•Share outreach and decisionmaker interview information (Council/Commission interviews) •Discussion and input to collaboratively create a Specific Plan Vision In conclusion, staff requests that the City Council and Planning Commission conduct this public workshop to provide opportunity for discussion and input on the Plan and provide direction to staff on developing a vision statement for the Specific Plan.
STRATEGIC PLAN OBJECTIVE
Thriving Economy
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the recommended action.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Workshop Presentation
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 2
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December 4, 2024
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Specific Plan
Joint City Council and Planning Commission Workshop
December 4, 2024
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 3
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December 4, 2024
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Workshop Purpose
• Provide a Project Overview
• Share outreach and decisionmaker
interview findings
• Collaboratively create a Specific Plan
Vision Statement
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 4
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Project Goals
Create a vision for the Menifee Innovation District that reflects the input from the City Council, stakeholders and the Menifee community.
Identify the areas opportunities to leverage and constraints to address through the creation of a Specific Plan.
Evaluate and identify infrastructure needs to support future development of the area.
Prepare allowable use matrix, development standards and design guidelines that promotes an appropriate mix of uses that will implement the plan’s vision.
Ensure the plan is in compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 5
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Project Process
Spring 2024
• Research
and Site
Analysis
Summer 2024
• Opportunities
& Constraints
Report
• Workshop #1
• PC/CC joint
Interviews
Fall 2024
• Joint CC/PC
Workshop
• Design
Charette
Winter 2025
• Land Use
Alternatives
• Workshop
#2
Spring 2025
• Preferred
Land Use
Plan
• CEQA
Notice of
Preparation
and
Scoping
Mtg.
Summer 2025
• CEQA
document
prep
• Public
Review
Draft
Specific
Plan and
EIR
Fall 2025
• Final
Specific
Plan and
EIR
• Public
Hearings
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 6
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December 4, 2024
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Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 7
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Workshop #1 – Key Themes
• Create a unique identity and use high-quality design elements. • Focus on technology-oriented, educational, and research-based industries. • Cultivate a vibrant economy
• Create spaces for entertainment, mixed-use development, live-work spaces, and offices.
• Prohibit warehouse and distribution buildings.
• Provide open space and buffers between SPA and adjacent rural residential areas.
• Encourage multi-modal transit opportunities and walkable streets and trails connecting to surrounding areas.
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 8
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CC/PC Interviews – Key Themes
• Create a unique identity for the area through innovative architecture, and clear design guidelines.
• Focus on attracting development of office/business parks or innovation campus/incubator spaces/technology hub.
• Provide local, high-paying jobs.
• Further discussion is required about residential development and entertainment/community amenities.
• Collaborate with local educational institutions.
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 9
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Topics For Discussion…
Residential Land Use Entertainment Land Use
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 10
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December 4, 2024
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Residential Development
Menifee General Plan
GP assumes 10%
residential land use
(30 acres)
EDC land use
designation
envisions residential
uses playing a
supporting role
Residential uses
shall be integrated
vertically
Residential uses
shall not be allowed
directly adjacent to
the freeway (within
1,000 feet)
State Law (SB 330): Prohibits a jurisdiction from downzoning property for housing unless the jurisdiction “concurrently” up- zones other property to increase enough permitted density to ensure there is no net loss in residential capacity city-wide.
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 11
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December 4, 2024
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Examples of Residential Development in
Innovation Districts
Research Triangle Park Hub – North CarolinaAggie Square – Davis, CA Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 12
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December 4, 2024
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Discussion Questions
How could residential development best be
incorporated in the Menifee Innovation District?
Where can residential be located to best fit the
context of the surrounding community and the
District?
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 13
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Existing Menifee
General Plan
Vision &
Dev’t. Code
Entertainment
Uses
• Menifee General Plan: “The intent of the EDC
designation is to identify areas where a mixture of
residential, commercial, office, civic, industrial,
entertainment, educational, and/or recreational uses or other uses is planned.”
• “The EDC-Southern Gateway Subarea is envisioned as
business park (predominantly light industrial and office uses) and limited support commercial use.”
• Menifee Development Code entertainment uses
allowed:
• Art gallery
• Museum
• Batting cages (indoor)
• Live entertainment/auditorium (indoor)
• Bowling alley
• Breweries
• More…
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 14
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Examples of Entertainment Options in an
Innovation Districts
Makerspace
Bowling Alley
Climbing Gym Art Gallery/Studio/Incubator Space
BreweryFood Hall
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 15
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December 4, 2024
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Discussion Questions
Should entertainment be included in the
Innovation District?
If yes, how do you envision entertainment being
integrated into the Menifee Innovation District?
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 16
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December 4, 2024
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Draft Vision Statements
Considerations:
• Is it aspirational?
• Elements to remove?
• Elements to add?
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 17
Menifee Mayor and City Council
December 4, 2024
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Draft Vision
Statement
#1
The Menifee Innovation District will be a vibrant
innovation hub that attracts high-tech businesses
and features mixed-use options. With modern
architecture, innovative infrastructure and high-
quality amenities, the district will create a
dynamic environment that creates high-paying
jobs and Includes range of entrepreneurial
opportunities with incubator space, executive
suites, research and development labs, light
manufacturing and corporate headquarters.
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 18
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December 4, 2024
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Draft Vision
Statement
#2
The Menifee Innovation District aims to attract
innovative industries to the City that offer high-
wage employment and drive long-term economic
growth. Guided by comprehensive development
and design standards to create a unique identity
and vibrant public spaces, the district will emerge
as a premier destination for business.
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 19
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December 4, 2024
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Draft Vision
Statement
#3
The Menifee Innovation District aims to attract
innovative industries to the City that offer high-
wage employment and drive long-term economic
growth. Featuring cutting-edge architecture and
design, the district will create a dynamic
environment with a unique identity that includes a
range of entrepreneurial opportunities with
incubator space, executive suites, research and
development labs, light manufacturing and
corporate headquarters.
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 20
Menifee Mayor and City Council
December 4, 2024
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Draft Vision
Statement
#4
The Menifee Innovation District aims for innovative
and sustainable development, attracting high-
paying industries and businesses that drive long-
term economic growth. Featuring cutting-edge
architecture and design, the district will have a
unique identity that seamlessly blends work and
life, offers entertainment options, and includes
walkable streetscapes, and vibrant public
spaces.
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 21
Menifee Mayor and City Council
December 4, 2024
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Discussion &
Deliberation
Item Title: 4.1
Menifee Innovation District Specific Plan Workshop
Item Page Number: 22
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