City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
1 1.0 INTRODUCTIONS
1.1 Findings of Fact
The California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) requires that the environmental impacts of a project be examined and disclosed prior to approval of a project. Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), No public agency shall approve or carry out a project for which an EIR has been certified which identifies one or more significant environmental effects of the project unless the public agency makes one or more written findings for each of those significant effects, accompanied by a brief explanation of the rationale for each finding. The possible findings are:
1) Changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the project which avoid or substantially lessen the significant environmental effect as identified in the final EIR [referred to in these Findings as “Finding 1”].
2) Such changes or alterations are within the responsibility and jurisdiction of another public agency and not the agency making the finding. Such changes have been adopted by such other agency or can and should be adopted by such other agency [referred to in these Findings as “Finding 2”]. 3) Specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other considerations, including provision of employment opportunities for highly trained workers, make infeasible the mitigation measures or project alternatives identified in the final EIR [referred to in these Findings as “Finding 3”].
Having received, reviewed and considered the Heritage Valley Business Center Project (Project), State Clearinghouse (SCH) # 2025051051; as well as all other information in the record of proceedings on this matter, the following Findings Regarding the CEQA Documents for the Project are hereby adopted by the City of Menifee (City).
1.2 Document Format
These Findings have been categorized into the following sections:
1) Section 1.0 provides an introduction to these Findings. 2) Section 2.0 provides a summary of the Project, overview of other discretionary actions required for the Project, and a statement of Project objectives. 3) Section 3.0 provides a summary of those activities that have preceded the consideration of the Findings for the Project as part of the environmental review process, and a summary of public participation in the environmental review for the Project. 4) Section 4.0 sets forth findings regarding those potentially significant environmental impacts identified in the CEQA Documents which the City has determined to be less than significant with Project implementation.
5) Section 5.0 sets forth findings regarding those significant or potentially significant environmental impacts identified in the CEQA Documents which the City has determined can City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
2 feasibly be mitigated to a less than significant level through the imposition of mitigation measures included in the Mitigation, Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) for the Project. 6) Section 6.0 sets forth findings for significant and unavoidable project impacts. 7) Section 7.0 sets forth findings regarding growth-inducing impacts. 8) Section 8.0 sets forth findings regarding alternatives to the Project. 9) Section 9.0 contains findings regarding the MMRP for the Project. 10) Section 10.0 contains other relevant findings adopted by the City with respect to the Project. 11) Section 11.0 contains the Statement of Overriding Considerations for the Project. 12) Section 12.0 contains information pertaining to the certification of the Final EIR.
The Findings set forth in each section herein are supported by findings and facts identified in the administrative record of the Project.
1.3 Custodian and Location of Records
The documents and other materials that constitute the administrative record for the City’s actions regarding the Project are located at the City of Menifee Community Development Department, 29844 Haun Road, Menifee, California 92586. The City is the custodian of the administrative record for the Project.
2.0 PROJECT SUMMARY
2.1 Project Description/Location
The Project applicant proposes the development of one warehouse building, totaling approximately 829,755 square feet (sq. ft.) of warehouse space which includes 10,000 sq. ft. of office and 819,755 sq. ft. of ground floor warehouse (inclusive of up to 80,000 square feet of high-cube cold storage use) on an approximately 41-acre site. The building is contemplated to have a structural height of approximately 60 feet (see Figure 3-8: Conceptual Elevations in the Draft EIR) and includes approximately 503 automobile parking spaces, approximately 258 truck trailer parking spaces, and approximately 111 dock high doors.
The building is speculative in nature; however, the Project will be evaluated as a warehouse for purposes of this Draft EIR analysis. Refer to Figure 3-9: Conceptual Site Plan in the Draft EIR. The Project applicant has filed a Specific Plan Amendment, Zone Change, and General Plan Amendment to change the land use and zoning designation of three parcels from HI to the Menifee North Specific Plan. As part of the Specific Plan Amendment the project will also increase the permitted height of buildings in Planning Area 2 to 60 feet.
The Project is generally bounded by non-conforming single-family residential properties, a Riverside County Flood Control channel, Southern California Edison (SCE) utility corridor, and Mclaughlin Road to the south; commercial, light industrial uses and Ethanac Road beyond to the north; Sherman Road to the east; and Trumble Road to the west. The Project site is generally located in the northeastern part of the City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
3 City, within Riverside County, California (refer to Figure 3-1: Local Vicinity Map in the Draft EIR). The Project site is comprised of ten parcels; refer to Table 3-1: Assessor Parcel Numbers in the Draft EIR. The Project site is located approximately 0.25 mile (1,300 feet) east of Interstate 215 (I-215) and approximately 0.6 mile (2,900 feet) southwest of State Highway (SH) 74 (see Figure 3-2: Regional Vicinity Map in the Draft EIR).
2.2 Discretionary Actions
The City is the Lead Agency under CEQA and is responsible for reviewing and certifying the adequacy of the EIR for the Project. It is expected that the City, at a minimum, would consider the data and analyses contained in this EIR when making their permit determinations. Prior to development of the Project, the following discretionary permits and approvals must be obtained from local, state, regional, and federal agencies:
General Plan Amendment No. PLN24-0197 proposes to change the General Plan land use designation of APNs 331-110-024, -025, -026 from Heavy Industrial (HI) to Specific Plan (SP). Specific Plan Amendment No. PLN24-0199 proposes to increase the acreage and modify the boundary of the Specific Plan No. 260 (Menifee North Specific Plan) to include APNs 331-110-024, -025, and -026 within Planning Area 2 (“Industrial”). The amendment also proposes to increase the allowable building height within Planning Area 2 from 50 feet to 60 feet. Change of Zone No. PLN24-0198 proposes to change the zoning classification of APNs 331-110- 024, -025, and -026 from Heavy Industrial (HI) to Menifee North SP. Vesting Tentative Parcel Map No. 39292 proposes to combine (APNs 331-110-031, -024, -025, 026, -035, -027, -041, -038, -039, -023) into two parcels for a total of 41.16 acres. Plot Plan No. PLN24-0195 is for the design review of one concrete tilt-up building totaling 829,755 sq. ft. which includes 10,000 sq. ft. of office and 819,755 square feet of ground floor warehouse space on an approximately 41-acre Project site. The building proposes a structural height of approximately 60 feet and includes approximately 503 automobile parking spaces, approximately 258 truck trailer parking spaces, and approximately 111 dock doors.
Other permits required for the Project may include, but are not limited to, the following: issuance of encroachment permits for driveways, sidewalks, and utilities; security and parking area lighting; building permits; grading permits; tenant improvement permits; landscaping approvals; sign permits; permits for new utility connections and South Coast AQMD Permits.
2.3 Statement of Objectives
The following objectives have been established for the Project by the City and Project applicant:
1. Develop an industrial project that conforms to the City’s General Plan and the Menifee North Specific Plan.
2. Provide a new development that will generate a positive fiscal balance for the City moving forward.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
4 3. Design and build a Class-A institutional quality industrial project that will attract high-end tenants and increase the City’s tax base.
4. Generate employment opportunities within the City while improving the local balance of housing to job ratio.
5. Facilitate the movement of goods and services for the benefit of local and regional economic growth.
6. Develop a warehouse project adjacent to transportation corridors, truck routes, local amenities, and the nearby Interstate 215 Freeway and Highway 74 for employee convenience and efficiencies of transporting goods.
7. Improve public safety and traffic flow in North Menifee with roadway and infrastructure improvements.
8. Provide enhanced landscaping along project frontage streets in landscaping setbacks.
9. Provide the backbone infrastructure for future growth and prosperity of the surrounding benefit area that will serve the immediate and long term needs of the community.
10. Provide a warehouse project in proximity to other warehouse uses in industrial zoned land.
11. Provide a warehouse building that is appropriately sized for the property on which it is placed to insure an efficient use of the property.
3.0 ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW AND PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
A Notice of Preparation (NOP) was distributed for the Project by the City on May 23, 2025. Additionally, the State of California Clearinghouse issued a project number for the Project, SCH # 2025051051. In accordance with CEQA Guidelines Section 15082, the NOP was circulated to interested agencies, groups, and individuals for a period of 30 days, during which comments were solicited and received, pertaining to environmental issues/topics that the Draft EIR should evaluate. These NOP responses were considered in the preparation of the Draft EIR, which upon release, was made available to all Responsible/Trustee Agencies and interested groups and individuals, as required under CEQA Guidelines Sections 15105 and 15087.
The state-mandated public review of the Draft EIR began on March 18, 2026, and concluded May 1, 2026, (45 days). The Final EIR includes a Response to Comments package, which presents all written comments received during the public review period of the Draft EIR and includes responses to these comments and associated changes made to the EIR.
The EIR includes any exhibits or appendices thereto, the list of persons, organizations and public agencies which commented on the EIR, the comments which were received by the City regarding the EIR, and the City's written responses to comments raised in the public review and comment process, all of which are incorporated herein and made a part hereof by reference. Pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines Section 15084, the EIR has been reviewed and analyzed by the City of Menifee as the lead agency with respect to City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
5 the Project and the EIR. The following findings for the Project and each fact in support of a finding are thus based upon substantial evidence in the record.
4.0 FINDINGS REGARDING ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
DETERMINED TO HAVE NO IMPACTS OR BE LESS THAN
SIGNIFICANT
The City finds, based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.0 of the Draft EIR, dated March 2026, as the following environmental effects of the Project either have no impact or the impacts are less than significant, and, therefore, no mitigation measures are required. The City hereby finds that existing regulatory requirements, policies, and/or Project conditions have been identified and incorporated into the Project which avoids or substantially lessens the potentially significant effect on the environment to a less than significant level.
4.1 Aesthetics
Impact 5.1-1: Less than Significant Impact
Buildout of the Project site has the potential to obstruct views of the San Jacinto Mountains to the northeast-east along Ethanac Road and Sherman Road, and the Menifee Hills to the south-southeast.
However, the Project would not significantly obscure views of this relatively close scenic vista to nearby residents or motorists traversing along Trumble Road, Sherman Road, and Ethanac Road because the Project would be consistent with the allowed building height and setbacks upon approval of the SPA. The Menifee GP does not officially designate scenic vistas on or near the Project site. Additionally, the GP Draft EIR found that upon implementation of GP policies and adherence to the City’s Municipal Code (MC), implementation of the GP, which includes buildout of the Menifee North SP would not substantially degrade scenic vistas in Menifee, and that scenic vista and community character impacts would be less than significant.1 Therefore, the Project would cause a less than significant impact to scenic vistas.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not significantly affect scenic vistas. Potential aesthetic impacts to scenic views are considered less than significant. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.1-9 through 5.1-10.
Impact 5.1-2: No Impact
There are no officially designated state scenic highways within the City. As previously mentioned, SR-74, located approximately 0.6 mile (2,900 feet) north/northeast of the Project site, is eligible but not officially designated as a state scenic highway. SR-74 from the west boundary of the San Bernardino National Forest
1 City of Menifee. 2013. Menifee General Plan Draft Environmental Impact Report, Section 5.1: Aesthetics. https://www.cityofmenifee.us/DocumentCenter/View/1101/Ch-05-01-AE?bidId= (accessed May 2025).
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
6 to SR-111 located in Palm Desert is the nearest officially designated state scenic highway. This portion of SR-74 is located approximately 18 miles east of the Project site. Due to the distance between the Project and officially designated SR-74, the Project would not obstruct views from this highway. Therefore, construction and operation of the Project site would not damage or obstruct scenic resources (i.e., trees, rock outcroppings, or historic buildings) within a state scenic highway. No impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not significantly affect scenic highways and corridors.
Potential aesthetic impacts to scenic highways and corridors are considered less than significant.
Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.1-11.
Impact 5.1-3: Less than Significant
The Project would require a GPA, Zone Change, and SPA. Following approval of these actions, the Project site would be fully zoned as Menifee North SP. The Project would be located within PA 2 which is an area designated Industrial under the Menifee North SP (which references Riverside County Ordinance No. 348 for development standards of the Manufacturing Heavy zone). The Project and surrounding land uses allow for industrial development and warehousing-related uses which the Project is consistent with.
Project construction and operation would comply with the development standards and design standards and guidelines laid out in the Menifee North SP. Through compliance with the Menifee North SP development standards and design standards and guidelines, GP goals and policies, and Ordinance No. 348 and No. 655, the Project would not conflict with applicable zoning and other regulations governing scenic quality. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not significantly affect the visual character of the City.
Potential impacts are considered less than significant. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this no impact determination.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.1-11 through 5.1-13.
Impact 5.1-4: Less than Significant Impact
Existing lighting sources include outdoor lighting and lighting emitted from the indoors from on-site and adjacent developments including the non-conforming residences and equipment yard, and vehicle headlights from adjacent and surrounding roadways. Nighttime lighting would not be required until the site is operational. Therefore, no short-term construction impacts associated with light and glare would occur and the impact would be less than significant. Once operational, the building would include interior lighting and exterior security and parking lot lighting. Consistent with Section 10.4, as well as Article XVIII General Provisions of Ordinance No. 348, all lighting shall be indirect, hooded, and positioned so as not to City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
7 reflect onto adjoining property or public streets. Additionally, the warehouse windows proposed for the Project would be constructed from a variety of non-reflective building materials, including tempered vision glass and tempered spandrel glass. Overall, long-term impacts associated with light and glare would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not create a new source of substantial light or glare which would adversely affect day or nighttime views in the area. Potential impacts are considered less than significant. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this less than significant impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.1-13 through 5.1-14.
4.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
Impacts 8.2-1, 8.2-2, 8.2-3, 8.2-4, and 8.2-5: No Impact No Project actions were concluded to be less than significant, but rather designated as not having an impact as the site does not contain Prime Farmland, Unique Farmland, or Farmland of Statewide Importance, there are no lands within the City that are currently under a Williamson Act contract or zoned for agricultural use, and there is no forest or timberland present on the Project site that could be lost from Project implementation.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to prime farmland, unique farmland or farmland of statewide importance beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No potential impacts are anticipated to occur. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this no impact determination.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR, pages 8-1 through 8-3.
4.3 Air Quality
Impact 5.2-3: Less than Significant Impact
Emissions during the peak construction activity would not exceed the SCAQMD’s localized significance thresholds at the maximally exposed receptor location. All other modeled locations in the Project area would experience lower concentrations, resulting in a reduced impact. Emissions would not exceed SCAQMD’s localized significance thresholds at the maximally exposed on-site receptors as a result of operational activities. In addition, SCAQMD’s Rule 2305 will require the Project to directly reduce NOX and PM emissions or pay SCAQMD a mitigation fee to help fund incentive programs for the purchase of cleaner trucks and charging/fueling infrastructure in communities nearby. Emissions from the construction and operation of the Project would vary by time of day, month, and season, and the majority of Project-related City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
8 emissions, being generated by mobile sources (cars and trucks) driving to and from the site, would be emitted throughout a wide area defined by the origins and destinations of people traveling to and from the Project. The Project would not cause a significant human health or cancer risk to adjacent land uses as a result of Project construction and operational activity. All other receptors during construction and operational activity would experience less risk than what is identified for this location.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not expose sensitive receptors to substantial pollutant concentrations beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.2-33 through 5.2-42.
Impact 5.2-4: Less than Significant Impact
Potential odor sources associated with the Project may result from construction equipment exhaust and the application of asphalt and architectural coatings during construction activities and the temporary storage of typical solid waste (refuse) associated with the Project’s (long-term operational) uses. Standard construction requirements would minimize odor impacts from construction. The construction odor emissions would be temporary, short-term, and intermittent in nature and would cease upon completion of the respective phase of construction and therefore considered less than significant. It is expected that Project-generated refuse would be stored in covered containers and removed at regular intervals in compliance with current solid waste regulations. The Project would also be required to comply with SCAQMD Rule 402 discussed above to prevent occurrences of public nuisances. Therefore, odors and other emissions (such as those leading to odors) associated with construction and operations activities of the proposed Project would be less than significant and no mitigation is required.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts from the emissions of other emissions beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.2-42 through 5.2-43.
4.4 Biological Resources
Impact 5.3-2 and 5.3-3: No Impact
No jurisdictional drainage features, riparian/riverine areas, or vernal pools were observed within the Project site and off-site improvement areas during the field survey. Therefore, regulatory approvals from the USACE, RWQCB, and/or CDFW would not be required for implementation of the project. Further, site development would not result in impacts to riparian/riverine habitats and a Determination of Biologically City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
9 Equivalent or Superior Preservation (DBESP) would not be required under the MSHCP for the loss of riparian/riverine habitat. Further, no sensitive habitats were identified within the Project site and off-site improvement areas. Thus, no sensitive natural communities would be impacted from Project implementation. No impact would occur.
No inundated areas, wetland features, or wetland plant species that would be considered wetlands as defined by Section 404 of the CWA occur within the Project footprint. As a result, implementation of the Project would not result in any impacts or have substantial adverse effect on federally protected wetlands.
No impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to riparian habitat or other sensitive natural community, nor would the Project have a substantial adverse effect on state or federally protected wetlands (including, but not limited to, marsh, vernal pool, coastal, etc.) through direct removal, filling, hydrological interruption, or other means, beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.3-20.
Impact 5.3-4: Less than Significant
The Project site has not been identified as occurring in a wildlife corridor or linkage. The nearest linkage to the Project site, as identified by the MSHCP, occurs approximately 1.65 miles to the northwest of the Project in association with the San Jacinto River. The Project would be confined to existing areas that have been heavily disturbed and are isolated from regional wildlife corridors. Therefore, the Project site does not function as a major wildlife movement corridor or linkage. As such, implementation of the Project is not expected to have a significant impact to wildlife movement opportunities or prevent local wildlife movement through the area. Due to the lack of any identified impacts to wildlife movement, migratory corridors or linkages or native wildlife nurseries, no mitigation is required. Therefore, impacts to wildlife corridors or linkages are not expected to occur and would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to movement of any native resident or migratory fish or wildlife species beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.3-20 through 5.3-21.
Impact 5.3-5: Less than Significant Impact
The Project would be developed in compliance with the Menifee GP Open Space and Conservation Element’s goals and policies pertaining to the conservation of biological resources. Goal OSC-8 protects City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
10 biological resources Policy OCS-8-4 calls for Identifying and inventorying existing natural resources in the City of Menifee. Policy OCS-8-5 calls for the recognition of the impacts new development would have on the City's natural resources and to identify ways to reduce these impacts. The Menifee MC Chapter 9.200:
Tree Preservation, requires all development to “protect trees, considered to be a valuable community resource, from indiscriminate cutting or removal, to ensure and enhance public health, safety and welfare through proper care, maintenance and preservation of trees. Such landscaping, irrigation systems and tree preservation represent a substantial investment in and potential benefit to the community. Heritage trees such as those with certain characteristics (age, size, species, location, historical influence, aesthetic quality or ecological value) are subject to special attention and preservation efforts.” However, the Project does not contain any trees that would be subject to the Menifee MC’s tree preservation ordinance.
Therefore, adherence with the Menifee GP goals and policies pertaining to the protection of biological resources would ensure that impacts are less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to conflicts with established conservation plans beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.3-5.
4.5 Cultural Resources
Impact 5.4-1: Less than Significant Impact
Based on the eligibility criteria, there are no known connections to an event or person important to state or local history, the resources do not represent unique or artistic endeavors, and as far as can be ascertained, no further information regarding their origin and existence is available. The resources are well-documented resource types with no distinctive architectural style or significant association to historical events or figures; refer to Appendix C of the Draft EIR. In consideration of these points, it was determined that the historic-aged resources do not represent a significant cultural resource according to CEQA criteria. A less than significant impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of a historical resource beyond what was concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.4-15 through 5.4-18.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
11 Impact 5.4-2: Less than Significant Impact
The Cultural Resources Assessment did not document any prehistoric or archaeological resources within the Project site. One previously identified prehistoric resource is located within 0.5 miles of the Project site. However, it consists of an isolated find, and no further prehistoric resources have been previously recorded within 0.5 miles of the Project site. While unlikely due to the disturbed nature of the Project site, it is possible that prehistoric or archaeological resources exist below the ground surface. As such, the City’s standard conditions of approval for cultural resources would be implemented that outline the process for treatment of any cultural resources (historic or prehistoric) inadvertently discovered during Project implementation, specifically COA-CUL-3, COA-CUL-4, COA-CUL-5, and COA-CUL-7. Due to the lack of recorded resources on the Project site, the relatively low potential for resources to exist on-site, and adherence to the standard conditions of approval, a less than significant impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not cause a substantial adverse change in the significance of an archaeological resource beyond what was concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.4-18 through 5.4-19.
Impact 5.4-3: Less than Significant Impact
No formal cemeteries are on or near the Project site. Most Native American human remains are found in association with prehistoric archaeological sites. Given the very low potential for the Project’s ground- disturbing activities to encounter archaeological remains, human remains to be potentially encountered are considered low. Notwithstanding, if previously unknown human remains are discovered during the Project’s ground-disturbing activities, a substantial adverse change in the significance of such a resource could occur. Impacts would be less than significant with implementation of the Standard Conditions as outlined in Section 5.4: Cultural Resources of the Draft EIR. Thus, compliance with the state laws and City standard conditions of approval in Section 5.4 would ensure that impacts are less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the project would not disturb any human remains, including those interred outside of dedicated cemeteries beyond what was concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.4-19 through 5.4-20.
4.6 Energy
Impacts regarding energy would require mitigation to achieve a level of less than significant. Refer to Section 5.5: Energy of the Draft EIR and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
12 4.7 Geology and Soils
Impact 5.6-1, 5.6-2, and 5.6-3: Less than Significant Impact The Project site is not within an Alquist-Priolo fault zone and there was no evidence of faulting identified during the investigation of the Project site. In addition, review of the Riverside County RCIT GIS website indicated that the Project site is not located within a Riverside County fault zone. The faults in the Project vicinity do not trend toward the site. Therefore, the possibility of damage due to ground rupture, as a result of faulting, is considered low since active faults are not known to cross the site. Therefore, the impacts associated with the rupture of a known fault would be less than significant and no mitigation would be required.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts regarding fault rupture, liquefaction, or strong seismic ground shaking beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.6-8 through 5.6-10.
Impact 5.6-4: No Impact
According to the Geotechnical Investigation, the Project site is nearly flat. Research and field observations do not indicate the presence of landslides on the Project site or in the immediate vicinity. Review of regional geologic maps of the area do not indicate the presence of known or suspected landslides at the site or in the vicinity of the site. According to the City’s Liquefaction and Landslides map, the Project site and the immediate area are not within a zone of generalized landslide susceptibility. The relatively flat topography of each site along with its location outside of identified landslide susceptibility and rockfall/debris-flow hazard areas would lead to no impact occurring.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts regarding landslides beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.6-10.
Impact 5.6-6: Less than Significant Impact
Liquefaction and landslides are not considered to be a design concern for the Project, and potential for lateral spreading and dynamic settlement would be low. The City’s Local Hazard Mitigation Plan lists the types of geologic hazards known to occur in the City regarding slope instability, leading to possible mudflow, liquefaction, and collapsible or expansive soils. The Project site is not located in an area identified as susceptible to slope instability, landslides, or liquefaction. Soil liquefaction is not likely to City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
13 occur at this site primarily because the groundwater level is deep (in excess of 60 feet). The Project site is relatively flat and is not located adjacent to any potentially unstable topographical feature, such as a hillside or riverbank. Therefore, impacts associated with these hazards would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts regarding soil instability and collapse beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.
Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.6-12.
Impact 5.6-8: No Impact
No septic tanks or other alternative wastewater disposal systems are proposed for the Project site.
Impacts in this regard for the Project site would not occur. Therefore, no impact concerning soils adequately supporting the use of septic tanks or alternative waste disposal systems would occur. Water and wastewater systems and their development are further discussed in Section 5.15: Utilities and Service Systems of the Draft EIR.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts regarding septic tanks beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.6-13.
4.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Significant and unavoidable greenhouse gas impacts. Refer to Section 5.7: Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the Draft EIR and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
4.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
Impact 5.8-1: Less than Significant Impact
Construction activities would include the use, storage, transport, and disposal of hazardous materials of materials such as fuels, lubricants, and greases in construction equipment and coatings used in construction. However, the materials used would not be in such quantities or stored in such a manner as to pose a significant safety hazard. The use of these materials would also be temporary and short-term or single-use in nature and would cease upon completion of the Project’s construction phase. According to the Phase I ESA, no specific areas of concern (i.e., storage buildings, mixing areas, releases, incidents, etc.) or HREC related to agricultural chemical storage and use at the Project site have been identified.
Therefore, compliance with applicable laws and regulations ensure that all potentially hazardous City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
14 materials are used and handled in an appropriate manner and would minimize the potential for safety impacts. Therefore, hazards to the public or the environment arising from the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials during Project construction would be less than significant.
Project operational activities would involve the use of small amounts of hazardous materials, such as industrial cleansers, greases, and oils for cleaning and maintenance purposes. The Project may also involve transport, use, and disposal of hazardous materials; the specific substances and quantities of such materials are presently unknown. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations governing the use, storage, transportation, and disposal of hazardous materials would ensure that all potentially hazardous materials are used and handled in an appropriate manner and would minimize the potential for safety impacts. Hazards to the public or the environment arising from the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials during Project operations would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not create a significant hazard to the public or environment through the routine transport, use, or disposal of hazardous materials beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.8-16 through 5.8-17.
Impact 5.8-2: Less than Significant Impact
Project construction activities would include the use of materials such as fuels, lubricants, and greases in construction equipment and coatings used in construction. The construction of new developments such as the Project site could result in hazards to the public or the environment through the accidental upset or release of hazardous materials caused by accidental spillage of hazardous materials used during construction phases, or as a result of the exposure of contaminated soil during grading activities. The Project site was identified as a State Registered AST site. However, according to the Phase I ESA, this database listing is not expected to represent a significant environmental concern. Additionally, the Project site itself is not on the Cortese List, and the Project site itself has not been cited or issued violation notices by any environmental regulatory agency for improper use or disposal of hazardous materials. Compliance with applicable laws and regulations concerning hazardous materials would ensure that all potentially hazardous materials are used and handled in an appropriate manner and would minimize the potential for safety impacts. Project construction workers would also be required to conduct safe handling of hazardous material. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Operation of the Project site would involve typical hazardous materials and chemicals such as solvents and cleaning products associated with operation of an industrial/warehouse type use. Any routine transport, use, and disposal of these materials during warehouse operations must adhere to federal, state, and local regulations for transport, handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous substances. Prior to Project approval, a HMBP also would be required for approval to show conformance with all applicable materials handling protocols. Household hazards such as cleaners and solvents contain such low City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
15 quantities of liquid and material that they do not pose a significant threat related to the release of hazardous materials into the environment. Therefore, the Project would not create a significant hazard to the public or the environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not create a significant hazard to the public or environment through reasonably foreseeable upset and accident conditions involving the release of hazardous materials into the environment beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.8-18 through 5.8-19.
Impact 5.8-3: Less than Significant Impact
No existing or proposed schools are located within one-quarter mile of the Project site. The nearest schools to the Project site are Romoland Elementary School located at 25890 Antelope Road, Romoland, California 92585, approximately 0.6 mile to the northeast and Hans Middle School located at 27625 Sherman Rd, Menifee, CA 92585 approximately one mile to the south. Therefore, the Project would not emit hazardous emissions or include the handling of hazardous or acutely hazardous materials, substances, and/or wastes within one-quarter mile of an existing or proposed school. The transport of hazardous substances or materials to-and-from the Project site during construction and long-term operational activities would be required to comply with applicable federal, state, and local regulations intended to reduce public safety hazards. Refer to Section 5.2: Air Quality of the Draft EIR for analysis pertaining to human health risks associated with the Project’s air pollutant emissions.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to being on a site containing hazardous materials beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.8-19.
Impact 5.8-4: Less than Significant Impact
According to the DTSC EnviroStor, the Project site is not included on the Waste and Substances Site List (Cortese List). Additionally, the Phase I ESA prepared for the Project site did not identify any environmental concerns for the Project site, thus no impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts from hazardous materials compiled pursuant to Government Code Section 65962.5 beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
16 than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.8-19.
Impact 5.8-5: Less than Significant Impact
Portions of the City are in the AIA of the MARB. The majority of the Project site is located within Compatibility Zone D of the MARB and the south-eastern corner of the Project site is located within Compatibility Zone E. The risk level for safety and airspace protection factors is low. There are risk concerns only with uses for which potential consequences are severe, such as very-high intensity activities in a confined area. Within Compatibility Zones D and E of the AIA, residential density and non-residential intensity are not restricted. Furthermore, based on the MARB Inland Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan Noise Impact Area map, noise impacts are low to moderate and risk of accidents is low. All new development would be in accordance with Compatibility Zones D and E and all state, county, and local goals, policies, and regulations. Furthermore, the Project does not require review by ALUC because the City is consistent with the MARB airport land use compatibility plan. To be consistent with the requirements of Zones D and E, COA HAZ-1 has been included, and therefore the Project would not result in a significant impact.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to conflicts with public or private airports beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.
Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.8-20.
Impact 5.8-6: Less than Significant Impact
The majority of the proposed construction work would occur within the boundaries of the Project site and would not impede access to nearby roadways. Additionally, construction activities may require the transport of heavy equipment and materials to and from the site. These activities may temporarily impede traffic flows; however, these impediments would be localized and short-term in nature. Therefore, any future construction activities on the Project site would not affect any evacuation route and would not interfere with the City’s emergency management program. Impacts in this regard would be less than significant. Construction of the Project site would not require revisions to the adopted Emergency Operations Plan. Construction or operation of the Project site would not disrupt or interfere with emergency access or impede access to nearby roadways or interfere with the City’s emergency operations plan. The Project would comply with design standards for emergency services and would not impair implementation of or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant in this regard and mitigation is not necessary.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
17 Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not impair implementation or physically interfere with an adopted emergency response plan or emergency evacuation plan beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.8-20 through 5.8-21.
Impact 5.8-7: Less than Significant Impact
The Project site is not located within a State Responsibility Area or a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone.
Additionally, according to the City’s High Fire Hazard Areas Map, neither the CAL FIRE nor the City identify the Project site within an area susceptible to wildland fires. See Section 8.0 Effects Found Not to be Significant in the Draft EIR for additional information regarding wildfire impacts. The Project site and surrounding areas generally consist of agricultural, commercial, transportation, or residential uses, which are generally not associated with wildland fire hazards. The Project would comply with all applicable local and state regulations related to fire safety, as evaluated through the City’s standard development review process. Impacts would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts involving the exposure of people or structures to the risk of wildland fires beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.8-22.
4.10 Hydrology and Water Quality
Impact 5.9-2: Less than Significant Impact
The Project site overlies the San Jacinto Groundwater Basin and is within the service area of EMWD. The Project Applicant would construct on-site and off-site potable water and recycled water systems in accordance with EMWD design standards to receive water services from EWMD. Thus, the Project would utilize potable and recycled water and would not use any on-site or off-site groundwater wells, nor any other groundwater extractive methods to service the Project. Water supply required to serve the Project’s demands and cumulative water demand in EMWD’s service areais currently accounted and is within the level of demand accounted for in the 2020 UWMP.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts from the reduction of groundwater resources beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
18 Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.9-18 and 5.9-19.
Impact 5.9-7: Less than Significant Impact
The Project is underlain by the San Jacinto Groundwater Basin. For groundwater management plan and reporting purposes, the San Jacinto Groundwater Basin is further separated into the Hemet/San Jacinto Management Plan Area, where the San Jacinto Fault Zone strongly influences the groundwater hydrology and is adjudicated under the Hemet-San Jacinto Watermaster, and the West San Jacinto Management Plan Area (submitted to the DWR on January 31, 2022), for which EMWD is the designated Groundwater Sustainability Agency (GSA). As discussed in the previous impact analyses, the Project’s components would not obstruct groundwater facilities as groundwater facilities are not planned by EMWD for this Project. Furthermore, the Project would not substantially deplete or decrease groundwater supplies or directly impact groundwater supplies because the Project’s proposed BMPs would include design features that would assist in the recharge of groundwater supplies. Thus, the Project would not conflict with the Hemet/San Jacinto Groundwater Management Plan or the West Jacinto Groundwater Basin Management Plan. Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to conflicts with adopted water quality control plans or sustainable groundwater management plans beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.9-22.
4.11 Land Use and Planning
Impact 5.10-1 No Impact
The Project would potentially displace three non-conforming single-family residential structures with associated out structures. These residences are rural in nature and are not part of a distinct, established community. Residential uses are within the greater surrounding area of the Project site. However, these developments are not part of an established community. Further, the on-site residential structures are classified as nonconforming uses since residential uses are not permitted uses under the General Plan land use designation and zoning of Heavy Industrial/Manufacturing (HI). The dwelling units in the surrounding area are sporadically placed and do not form a geographically cohesive community. Lastly, the Project would not involve the removal of vital roadways or points of connection for residents but would improve Project area roadways. Therefore, development of the Project would not divide an established community and no impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
19 The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to established communities beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.10-7.
Impact 5.10-2: Less than Significant Impact
The Project would require a General Plan Amendment (GPA) and Zone Change to designate/zone parcels 331-110-024, -025, and -026 as Menifee North SP. Upon approval of the GPA and Zone Change, the Project would be consistent with the land use designations and zoning set by the City’s GP and MC.
The Project’s compliance with the RTP/SCS would promote the sustainable and beneficial growth of the region. Table 5.10-4: SCAG 2024- 2050 RTP/SCS Connect SoCal Goals in the Draft EIR summarizes the Project’s compliance with the RTP/SCS. The City’s General Plan, adopted in 2013, contains goals and policies meant to guide growth and development within the City. Goals and policies from the various resources sections relevant to the Project are analyzed for consistency in Table 5.10-5: City of Menifee General Plan Consistency of the Draft EIR.
Overall, the Project would comply with land use plans, policies, and regulations that would apply to its development and the surrounding area. The Project would therefore cause a less than significant impact regarding compliance with land use policies and no mitigation is required.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to conflicts with adopted land use policies beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.10-7 through 5.10-24.
4.12 Mineral Resources
Impact 8.3-1 and 8.3-2: No Impact
The Project site would be within an area of the City which is currently disturbed and partially developed.
None of the existing uses include mineral refinement or mining. No mineral resources have been identified in or around the Project site. The previous uses at the Project site did not include mining activities or mineral processing, and no active mining sites exist within the City. Therefore, the Project would not interfere with any existing or potential mining activities. No impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
20 The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to the loss of mineral resources beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 8-3 and 8-4.
4.13 Noise
Impact 5.11-1: Less than Significant Impact
Construction activities are expected to occur during demolition, site preparation, grading, infrastructure improvements, building construction, paving, and architectural coating. Construction noise levels would not exceed the applicable FTA construction threshold. The highest exterior noise level at residential receptors would occur during the building construction phase and would be 61.4 dBA which is below the FTA’s 80 dBA threshold. Construction equipment would operate throughout the project site and the associated noise levels would not occur at a fixed location for extended periods of time. Although sensitive uses may be exposed to elevated noise levels during project construction, these noise levels would be acoustically dispersed throughout the project site and not concentrated in one area near surrounding sensitive uses. Construction noise would therefore have a less than significant impact.
Implementation of the Project would create new sources of noise in the Project vicinity. The major noise sources associated with the Project would include parking lot vehicle movements, loading dock activity, truck/trailer parking activity, truck movements, trash enclosure activity, and roof-top air conditioning units. Project-generated noise levels at the receiver locations would not exceed the Menifee MC Section
9.210.060(D) exterior daytime limit of 65 dBA Leq and an exterior nighttime limit of 45 dBA Leq for noise sources. As such, Project noise impacts from on-site operations would be less than significant. Overall, the Project’s construction, operational and off-site traffic impacts would not result in substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the Project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies. Impacts will be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not result in the generation of a substantial temporary or permanent increase in ambient noise levels in the vicinity of the Project in excess of standards established in the local general plan or noise ordinance, or applicable standards of other agencies beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.11-14 through 5.11-24.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
21 Impact 5.11-2: Less than Significant Impact
Operation of construction equipment generates vibrations that spread through the ground and diminish with distance from the source. The typical Project construction vibration levels will fall below the building damage thresholds at all the noise-sensitive receiver locations. Therefore, the Project-related vibration impacts are considered less than significant during typical construction activities at the Project site. Since the Project’s truck movements would be at low speed (not at freeway speeds) and would be over smooth surfaces (not under poor roadway conditions), Project-related vibration associated with truck activity are not anticipated to result in excessive ground-borne vibrations, and therefore no vehicle-generated vibration impacts would occur during Project operations. In addition, there are no sources of substantial ground-borne vibration associated with the Project, such as rail or subways. As such, the Project’s operational activity would not generate excessive groundborne vibration or groundborne noise levels and therefore, impacts would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to excessive groundborne vibrations beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.11-24 through 5.11-25.
Impact 5.11-3: Less than Significant Impact
The closest airport to the Project site is the Perris Valley Airport located approximately 2.2 miles northwest from the Project site’s northwestern property boundary. As concluded in the Noise and Vibration Analysis, the Project is located outside the 55 dBA CNEL noise level contours of the Perris Valley Airport.
Additionally, there are no private airstrips located within the Project vicinity. Therefore, the Project would not expose people working in the Project area to excessive airport- or airstrip-related noise levels and no mitigation is required.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts stemming from proximity to airport land use plan areas or private airstrips beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.11-25.
4.14 Population and Housing
Impacts 8.4-1 and 8.4-2: Less than Significant Impact
The Project would have a beneficial effect on the City’s employment base by developing a site that is largely vacant with a new industrial/warehouse facility with ancillary office space. it is reasonably assured City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
22 that the jobs would be filled by people living in the City, unincorporated County area, and surrounding communities, such as Perris and Murrieta. Furthermore, the Project site is served by existing public roadways, Trumble Road to the west and Sherman Road to the east, that would be improved to a 2-Lane Collector and 4-Lane Major Street, respectively. Additionally, utility infrastructure would be installed beneath the public rights-of-way that abut the Project site. As a result, the Project would not be anticipated to induce substantial population growth in the Project area. Three non-conforming residential units would comprise approximately 0.01 percent of the total housing units in the City; and therefore, not considered a displacement of a substantial number of housing. The majority of the Project site consists of vacant, undeveloped land that has been subject to a variety of anthropogenic disturbances associated with prior ground disturbance activities and discing. As such, the Project would not displace substantial numbers of existing people or housing, necessitating the construction of replacement housing elsewhere; therefore, a less than significant impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts from induced population growth or displacement of individuals or housing beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 8-4.
4.15 Public Services
Impact 5.12-1: Less than Significant Impact
The Project would comply with the Riverside County Fire Department Technical Policies and Standards, California Fire Code (CFC), and CBC, including Project features that aid in fire safety and support fire suppression activities, such as fire sprinklers, paved access, and required aisle widths. The Project would be designed in compliance with all applicable fire protection and prevention requirements and pay DIF’s ($0.36 per square foot or then current DIF) toward the construction of new fire facilities. Payment of DIF constitutes adequate mitigation because through implementation of the DIF program, the City collects DIF from development projects and is mandated to use the DIF funds to construct new fire and emergency service facilities. The Project’s fire safety and fire suppression features pursuant to the Menifee MC, and the Project applicant’s compliance with all required design regulations, will further minimize the demand for fire protection and emergency public services impacts. The Project would be consistent with planned industrial uses per the Menifee North SP. Therefore, the Project’s impacts on fire protection services are considered to be a less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to fire services beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
23 Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.12-7 through 5.12-9.
Impact 5.12-2: Less than Significant Impact
The MPD would be provided the opportunity to review the Project’s design to verify that all feasible CPTED strategies are incorporated. Additionally, development impact fees are imposed on new developments to pay for new facilities. The Project site would be adequately served by existing MPD facilities, equipment, and personnel such that new facilities would not be required. Since the Project site is not residential and minimal calls for service are anticipated, police protection services would not be significantly impacted due to construction and operation of the Project warehouse. Additionally, development of the site would increase property tax revenues to provide a source of funding to offset any increases in demand for public services generated by the Project. Overall, impacts would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to police services beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.12-9 and 5.12-10.
Impact 5.12-3: Less than Significant Impact
The Project, however, would not create a direct demand for public school services, as the subject property would contain non-residential uses that would not generate any school-aged children requiring public education. The Project would not draw a substantial number of new residents to the districts and therefore would not indirectly generate school-aged students requiring public education. The Project would not cause or contribute to a need to construct new or physically altered public school facilities. The Project Applicant would be required to contribute development impact fees to the Romoland School District and the Perris Union High School District in compliance with California SB 50 (Greene), which allows school districts to collect fees from new developments to offset the costs associated with increasing school capacity needs. Overall, Project implementation would not result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered school facilities, need for new or physically altered school facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios or other performance objectives. Compliance with applicable local and state regulations would ensure that Project implementation would result in a less than significant impact to school services.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to schools beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
24 Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.12-10 and 5.12-11.
Impact 5.12-4: Less than Significant Impact
The Project is a warehouse building with office space and does not propose any residential development or other land use that may generate a population that would increase the use of these parks or any existing neighborhood or regional parks or other recreational facility. Therefore, the Project would not indirectly generate population growth requiring park facilities. Overall, Project implementation would not result in substantial adverse physical impacts associated with the provision of new or physically altered park facilities, need for new or physically altered park facilities, the construction of which could cause significant environmental impacts, in order to maintain acceptable service ratios or other performance objectives. Because no park facilities exist on the Project site, the Project would not conflict with existing park structures or require modification of park facilities. Therefore, Project implementation would result in a less than significant impact to park facilities.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to parks beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.12-11.
Impact 5.12-5: Less than Significant Impact
The Project would not create a direct demand for other public facilities, as the subject property would contain non-residential uses that would not generate population growth requiring other public facilities.
The Project would not draw a substantial number of new residents to the area and therefore would not indirectly generate population growth requiring other public facilities. Because no public facilities exist on the Project site, development of the Project would not conflict with existing public structures or require modification of public facilities. Therefore, Project implementation would result in a less than significant impact to other public facilities.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to other public facilities beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.12-11 and 5.12-12.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
25 4.16 Recreation
Impact 8.5-1 and 8.5-2: No Impact
The Project is a warehouse building with office space and the Project applicant does not propose any residential development or other land use that may generate a population that would increase the use of these parks or any existing neighborhood or regional parks or other recreational facility. Implementation of the Project would not result in the increased use or substantial physical deterioration of an existing neighborhood or regional park. The Project does not include the subdivision of land for residential use and therefore is not required to dedicate land or pay fees in lieu thereof, or combination of both, for park and recreational purposes. Implementation of the Project would not have an adverse physical effect on the environment as it pertains to construction/expansion of recreational facilities. Therefore, no impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate impacts due to the increased demand on established parks beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 8-5.
4.17 Transportation
Impact 5.13-1: Less than Significant Impact
The Project would be required to comply with SCAG’s 2024-2050 RTP/SCS, also referred to as Connect SoCal. Compliance with the goals outlined in the Connect SoCal plan would promote sustainable growth in the region while also achieving California’s GHG emission reduction goals and federal Clean Air Act requirements. The Project would be consistent with all applicable Connect SoCal plan goals. With respect to public transit, the Project’s development could result in an increased demand of public transportation as employment opportunities increase. However, as the public transit agency for the area, RTA would be responsible for routinely reviewing and adjusting ridership schedules and service destinations to accommodate public demand. Thus, implementation of the Project would not conflict with local public transit services. The Project would be required to comply with the Complete Streets Act of 2008 through compliance with the Menifee GP Circulation Element. The analysis provided with respect to LOS in Section
5.13: Transportation of the Draft EIR has been provided to consider consistency with Menifee GP policies and standards relating to traffic and transportation and the on-site and off-site circulation recommendations provided in the Traffic Analysis will be Conditions of Approval (COA) that the Project would be required to adhere to.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not conflict with a program plan, ordinance or policy addressing the circulation system, including transit, roadway, bicycle, and pedestrian facilities beyond City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
26 those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.13-12 through 5.13-24.
Impact 5.13-3: Less than Significant Impact
The Project would not include the use of any incompatible vehicles or equipment on-site, such as farm equipment. The Project Applicant proposes four new driveways, an internal circulation system, and improvements to Trumble Road and Sherman Road. All circulation improvements would be constructed in accordance with the Menifee MC. With incorporation of design recommendations outlined in Section
5.13: Transportation of the Draft EIR, the Project would reduce potential for hazards to occur at these intersections. Lastly, sight distance at Project access points would comply with applicable sight distance standards and no sharp curves are proposed as part of the Project design (Menifee MC Section 9.160.060).
Therefore, a less than significant impact would occur, and no mitigation is required.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts regarding conflicts with CEQA transportation guidelines beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.13-27 and 5.13-28.
Impact 5.17-4: Less than Significant Impact
Project access is proposed via four 40-foot-wide driveways on Trumble Road and Sherman Road. Internal circulation for the Project includes a minimum 26-foot-wide fire lane for emergency access within the Project site. Emergency access lanes would be provided around the perimeter of the building. The Project would be designed to allow safe and convenient access for servicing, fire protection, and required off- street parking. The Riverside County Fire Department (RCFD) would review the Project for access requirements concerning minimum roadway width, access roads, fire lines, signage, access devices, gates, and other emergency access requirements for its ability to enhance emergency access to the site.
Following compliance with RCFD access requirements, adequate emergency access to the Project site would be provided. Project impacts regarding emergency access would be less than significant and no mitigation is required.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts from impaired emergency access beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.
Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
27 Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.13-28.
4.18 Tribal Cultural Resources
Impact 5.14-1: Less than Significant Impact
The City of Menifee sent letters to those interested tribes that requested notification from projects occurring within the City pursuant to Assembly Bill (AB) 52. The following are the interested tribes:
Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians;
Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians;
Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians; and
Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians.
The Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians responded on December 11, 2024. Shuuluk Linton, Tribal Historic Preservation Coordinator, noted that the Project is within the Traditional Use Area of the Luiseño people, and the Rincon Band is traditionally and culturally affiliated to the Project are. As such, AB52 consultation was requested, along with a request for copies of existing documents pertaining to the Project (such as the cultural survey including the archaeological site records, shape files and archaeological record search results). However after the City reached out to schedule a meeting, no further response was received from the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, and no further consultation ensued.
The Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians sent a letter regarding the Project on April 18, 2025. Jacobia Kirskey, Tribal Operations Specialist II noted that there are no known cultural resources within the Project site that would be affected by the proposed development. As such, formal consultation was concluded by the Augustine Band of Cahuilla Indians, and no further consultation was pursued. The Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (ACBCI) responded on April 30, 2025. Xitlaly Madrigal, Cultural Resources Analyst, noted that the Project area is not located within the boundaries of the ACBCI Reservation; however, it is within the Tribe’s Traditional Use Area. For this reason, the ACBCI Tribal Historic Preservation Office requested copies of any cultural resource documentation generated in connection with the Project.
Information was sent out on November 13, 2025 but no further comments were received.
The Pechanga Band of Mission Indians met with the City for the regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, which were held on January 22, 2025, May 15, 2025, August 12, 2025, and March 5, 2026. On the March 5, 2026 meeting Pechanga asked the City to include the standard conditions of approval as part of the text in the EIR. No further consultation efforts regarding this project were requested.
The Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians met with the City for the regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, which were held on January 28, 2025, April 16, 2025, July 29, 2025, and January 22, 2026. During these meetings, no further consultation efforts regarding the Project were requested and consultation concluded on January 22, 2026.
Overall, the Project would not cause a substantial adverse change to a tribal cultural resource and a less than significant impact would occur in this regard with implementation of COA-CUL-1 through COA-CUL 7 as identified in Section 5.4: Cultural Resources of the Draft EIR.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
28 Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts on tribal cultural resources beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.14-8 through 5.14-10.
4.19 Utilities and Service Systems
Impact 5.15-1: Less than Significant Impact
On-site, as well as adjacent and nearby uses, including light industrial and commercial developments, are served by existing utilities, including electricity, natural gas, and wet and dry facilities but they have not been extended into the Project site. Existing utilities would be extended and upgraded as needed during construction of Project to serve the anticipated demands and to accommodate operation of the warehouse. All required improvements and extensions to existing electrical, natural gas, or telecommunications utilities would occur within the existing roadway rights-of-way adjacent to the Project site, including Sherman Road and Trumble Road. Therefore, impacts associated with extension of services in these areas and within the site, are less than significant.
In all cases through year 2045, even during single and multiple dry year conditions, water supplies available to EMWD would be sufficient to meet all present and future water supply requirements of the entire customer base, including the Project, for the next twenty-five years. Therefore, based on the incremental increase in demand that would result from implementation of the Project, impacts would be less than significant.
Project storm water and drainage facilities would be constructed and operated in accordance with applicable guidelines and regulations of the EMWD and City. In consideration of existing requirements, no significant impacts are anticipated with respect to Project storm water and drainage facilities.
All Project wastewater facilities would be constructed and operated in accordance with applicable guidelines and regulations of the EMWD and City, and would also follow applicable EIR mitigation measures in each topical area addressed in the EIR. Although the Project requires the construction of wastewater drainage facilities, a less than significant impact would occur.
Electricity facilities such as powerlines and other similar system components would be required for the Project. However, this new infrastructure would be constructed pursuant to the City’s Development Code, and would be installed within the proposed development areas. Some existing electrical facilities would be also relocated. However, the construction of the new facilities would occur within the development footprint assumed in this EIR for both on and off-site improvements. Therefore, no additional significant impacts would occur due to electrical facility construction.
It is anticipated that the Project site would require some amount of natural gas to support future operations. Natural gas lines already exist in the area to enable service to surrounding uses. Natural gas City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
29 facilities are planned for installation as part of Project development, within proposed development areas such as planned roadways. Therefore, construction of the Project’s natural gas facilities would not create an increased impact on the environment beyond what is addressed for the overall Project. As such, less than significant impacts would occur.
The Project site would require telecommunication services to be provided by Frontier Communications.
Service to the Project site would require tying into these lines but these improvements would occur within existing areas of disturbance such as those adjacent to existing roadways. Therefore, construction of the Project’s telecommunication, cable and internet facilities would not create an increased impact on the environment beyond what is addressed for the overall Project. As such, less than significant impacts would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts from the increased demand on public facilities beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.
Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.15-13 through 5.15-16.
Impact 5.15-2: Less than Significant Impacts
The Project’s water service provider is anticipated to have adequate capacity to serve the projected demands. The Project would result in less than significant impacts on services provided by the water service provider.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts to water supplies beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.15-16 and 5.15-17.
Impact 5.15-3: Less than Significant Impact
The Project’s wastewater service provider is anticipated to have adequate capacity to treat the projected demand. The Project is anticipated to cause a less than significant impact on services provided by the wastewater service provider.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts regarding wastewater treatment demand beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.
Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
30 Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.15-17.
Impact 5.15-4: Less than Significant Impact
Project implementation would increase solid waste disposal demands over existing conditions. The Project would be served by a landfill with sufficient remaining permitted capacity to accommodate the Project’s solid waste disposal needs. Therefore, the Project’s solid waste disposal needs could be accommodated at one or a combination of the disposal facilities in the Project vicinity. Operational activities would be subject to compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local statutes and regulations for solid waste, including those identified under CALGreen and AB 939. The Project would result in less than significant impacts concerning solid waste, and no mitigation is required.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts regarding solid waste generation beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated.
Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.15-17 and 5.15-18.
Impact 5.15-5: Less than Significant Impact
The Project would be constructed in compliance with Section 5.408.1: Construction Waste Management of the California Green Building Standards Code, which requires 65 percent diversion of nonhazardous construction and demolition waste. A less than significant impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to conflicts with established solid waste policies beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Mitigation Measures: No mitigation is required.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.15-18 and 5.15-19.
4.20 Wildfire
Impact 8.6-1, 8.6-2, 8.6-3, 8.6-4: No Impact
The Project site is not located in or near a State Responsibility Area (SRA) nor Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ). The Project site is located in a Local Responsibility Area (LRA) which means that the City is responsible for wildfire protection. The Project would not exacerbate wildfire risks or expose Project occupants to pollutant concentrations or the uncontrolled spread of a wildfire. Construction and operation of the Project would not increase the risk of fire nor would it require the installation/maintenance of infrastructure that would exacerbate fire risk. Because the Project site is City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
31 located within a highly urbanized area, it would not expose people or structures to significant risks as a result of runoff, post-fire slope instability, or drainage changes. Therefore, no impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate impacts to the following: established emergency response or evacuation plans beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR; wildfire impacts beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR; substantial impacts due to the installation of infrastructure beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR; substantial post-fire flooding or landslide impacts beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. No impacts are anticipated. Consequently, no mitigation measures are required for this impact.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 8-5 through 8-7.
5.0 FINDINGS REGARDING POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANT
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WHICH CAN BE MITIGATED TO A
LEVEL OF LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT
5.1 Aesthetics
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.3 Air Quality
Impact 5.2-1: Less than Significant with Mitigation Applied The Project’s proposed uses are inconsistent with the current land use designation and zoning and would require a General Plan Amendment (GPA) and Zoning Classification Amendment (ZCA). Although inconsistent with the current land use designation and zoning, the Project on an individual basis does not have an impact as the Project’s proposed industrial uses are similar in intensity to the heavy industrial/manufacturing uses allowed for the Project’s current land use designation and zoning. and as such, the Project would not conflict with the goals and objectives of the AQMP. The Project would not have the potential to result in or cause NAAQS or CAAQS violations. Although the Project’s proposed uses are not consistent with the General Plan land use designation and zoning, the Project would not exceed the regional or localized construction and operational thresholds after implementation of MM AQ-1. As such, the Project would be consistent with the AQMP and with implementation of MM AQ-1, impacts would be reduced to less than significant levels.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
32 or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance with MM AQ-1.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.2: Air Quality of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
MM AQ-1 To reduce VOC emissions associated with architectural coating, the Project designer and contractor shall reduce the use of paints and solvents by utilizing pre-coated materials (e.g., bathroom stall dividers, metal awnings), materials that do not require painting, and require coatings and solvents with a VOC content lower than required under Rule 1113 to be utilized. The construction contractor shall be required to utilize “Super-Compliant” VOC paints, which are defined in SCAQMD’s Rule 1113.
Construction specifications shall be included in building specifications to assure that these requirements are implemented. The specifications shall be reviewed by the City of Menifee’s Building and Safety Department for compliance with this mitigation measure prior to issuance of the Project’s building permit.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.2-26 through 5.2-28.
Impact 5.2-2: Less than Significant with Mitigation Applied Unmitigated construction emissions would exceed the SCAQMD threshold for ROG. The majority of ROG emissions are generated during the architectural coatings phase of construction. MM AQ-1 requires the Project designer and contractor to reduce the use of paints and solvents by utilizing pre-coated materials (e.g., bathroom stall dividers, metal awnings), materials that do not require painting, and require coatings and solvents with a VOC content lower than required under Rule 1113 to be utilized. Additionally, the construction contractor would utilize “Super-Compliant” VOC paints. With implementation of MM AQ-1, construction ROG emissions would be below the SCAQMD’s thresholds, and impacts would be less than significant. The Project would not exceed the numerical thresholds of significance established by the SCAQMD for emissions of any criteria pollutant. As such, operational impacts would be considered less than significant. The Project would be subject to compliance with the applicable Menifee GP Goals and Policies, Design Guideline Standards, and Menifee MC general development air quality standards that would ensure that air quality impacts are further reduced. Overall, construction and operational impacts associated with net increase of any criteria pollutant would be reduced to less than significant levels with implementation of MM AQ-1, and compliance with LORs, Menifee GP goals and policies, and Menifee MC regulations.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance with MM AQ-1.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
33 Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.2: Air Quality, of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MM AQ-1 is feasible and is made binding through the MMRP.
Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.2-28 through 5.2-32.
5.4 Biological Resources
Impact 5.3-1: Less than Significant with Mitigation Applied No special-status plant species were observed on the Project site or off-site improvement areas during the field investigation. The Project site, off-site improvement areas, and surrounding area have been subject to decades of anthropogenic disturbances which have removed native plant communities that historically occurred. The CNDDB lists two special-status habitats as being identified within the Romoland quadrangle: Southern Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest and Southern Cottonwood Willow Riparian Forest, which do not occur on the Project site or off-site improvement areas. No CDFW special-status plant communities occur within the boundaries of the Project site.
It was determined that the Project site and off-site improvement areas do not have the potential to support any special-status wildlife species known to occur in the vicinity of the site and off-site improvement areas and all are presumed to be absent. To ensure impacts to avian species do not occur from implementation of the Project, a pre-construction nesting bird clearance survey would be conducted prior to ground disturbance in accordance with Mitigation Measure (MM) BIO-1. With implementation of MM BIO-1, impacts to the species would be reduced to a less than significant level.
Due to the lack of riparian/riverine habitat and vernal pools, the Project site was determined not provide suitable habitat for federally/State and/or MSHCP listed fairy shrimp, and focused surveys for fairy shrimp are not required per the MSHCP.
A Burrowing Owl walking habitat assessment was conducted on May 12, 2025. Despite a systematic search of the Project site and off-site improvement areas, no burrowing owls or signs (i.e., pellets, feathers, castings, or whitewash) were observed during the field investigation. The site was determined to lack suitable habitat due to ongoing disturbances and lack of suitable burrows. Pursuant to MM BIO-2, the Project Applicant would retain a qualified biologist to conduct a 30-day preconstruction survey for burrowing owl. The survey results would be submitted to the City prior to obtaining a grading permit to ensure that burrowing owls are not impacted. Therefore, with implementation of MMs BIO-1 and BIO-2, the Project’s effect on species identified as a candidate, sensitive, or special status species would be reduced to less than significant levels.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance with MMs BIO-1 and BIO-2.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
34 Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.3: Biological Resources of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
MM BIO-1: If grading or construction activities, including vegetation removal, occurs between February 1st and August 31st, a pre-construction clearance survey for nesting birds should be conducted within 3 days of the start of any vegetation removal or ground disturbing activities to ensure that no nesting birds will be disturbed during construction. The Project Applicant shall ensure that impacts to nesting bird species at the Project site and off-site improvement areas are avoided through the implementation of preconstruction surveys, ongoing monitoring, and if necessary, establishment of minimization measures. The Project Applicant shall adhere to the following:
a. Applicant shall designate a qualified biologist (Designated Biologist) experienced in: identifying local and migratory bird species of special concern; conducting bird surveys using appropriate survey methodology; nesting surveying techniques, recognizing breeding and nesting behaviors, locating nests and breeding territories, and identifying nesting stages and nest success; determining/establishing appropriate avoidance and minimization measures; and monitoring the efficacy of implemented avoidance and minimization measures.
b. Surveys shall be conducted by the Designated Biologist at the appropriate time of day/night, during appropriate weather conditions, no more than 3 days prior to the initiation of Project activities. Surveys shall encompass all suitable areas including trees, shrubs, bare ground, burrows, cavities, and structures. Survey duration shall take into consideration the size of the Project site; density, and complexity of the habitat; number of survey participants; survey techniques employed; and shall be sufficient to ensure the data collected is complete and accurate. If a nest is suspected, but not confirmed, the Designated Biologist shall establish a disturbance-free buffer until additional surveys can be completed, or until the location can be inferred based on observations. If a nest is observed, but thought to be inactive, the Designated Biologist shall monitor the nest for one hour (four hours for raptors during the non-breeding season) prior to approaching the nest to determine status. The Designated Biologist shall use their best professional judgement regarding the monitoring period and whether approaching the nest is appropriate.
c. If an active (i.e., occupied with eggs or fledglings) avian nest is confirmed, the Designated Biologist shall immediately establish a conservative avoidance buffer surrounding the nest (generally 300 feet for migratory and non- City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
35 migratory songbirds and 500 feet raptors and special-status species) based on their best professional judgement and experience. The Designated Biologist shall monitor the nest at the onset of Project activities, and at the onset of any changes in such Project activities (e.g., increase in number or type of equipment, change in equipment usage, etc.) to determine the efficacy of the buffer. If the Designated Biologist determines that such Project activities may be causing an adverse reaction, the Designated Biologist shall adjust the buffer accordingly or implement alternative avoidance and minimization measures, such as redirecting or rescheduling construction or erecting sound barriers. If the Designated Biologist determines that a buffer will provide insufficient protection to an active avian nest, all work within these buffers will be halted until the nesting effort is finished (i.e., the juveniles are surviving independent from the nest). The Designated Biologist will review and verify compliance with these nesting avoidance buffers and will verify the nesting effort has finished. Work can resume within these avoidance areas when no other active nests are found. Upon completion of the survey and nesting bird monitoring, a report shall be prepared and submitted to City for mitigation monitoring compliance record keeping.
MM BIO-2: In order to comply with the conservation goals of the MSCHP, a 30-day burrowing owl pre-construction clearance survey be conducted in accordance with the Burrowing Owl Survey Instructions for the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan Area prior to any ground disturbing activities. If burrowing owls and/or birds displaying nesting behaviors are observed within the Project site and off-site improvement areas during future construction, further review may be needed to ensure compliance with the MSHCP, MBTA and Fish and Game Code.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.3-16 through 5.3-20.
Impact 5.3-6: Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Applied The Project is located in the Sun City/Menifee Valley Area Plan of the MSHCP but is not located within any Criteria Cells or designated conservation areas. Additionally, the Project site is only located within the MSHCP designated survey area for burrowing owl. From the review of historic aerial photographs and observations during the field investigations, it can be concluded that there is no indication of vernal pools occurring within the proposed Project site or off-site improvement areas.
Based on the RCA MSHCP Information Map query and review of the MSHCP, it was determined that the Project site and off-site improvement areas are not located within any designated survey area for Narrow Endemic Plant Species. Further, based on the results of the field investigation, the Project site and off-site improvement areas do not provide suitable habitat for MSHCP-listed Narrow Endemic Plant Species.
The Project site and off-site improvement areas are not located within or in close proximity of any Criteria Cells or designated conservation areas. Therefore, the Project would not need to comply with the Urban/Wildlands Interface Guidelines.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
36 Although no active nests or birds displaying nesting behavior were observed during the field survey, vegetation along the northern boundary of the Project site has the potential to provide nesting habitat for year-round and seasonal avian residents, as well as migrating songbirds that could occur in the area that are adapted to a high degree of disturbance. These birds would be potentially impacted during the Project’s development. MM BIO-1 would be implemented to ensure that impacts to migratory bird species are minimized. MM BIO-1 would be implemented to ensure that impacts to migratory bird species are minimized.
The Project site and off-site improvement areas are located within the Mitigation Fee Area of the Stephens’ Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan (SKR HCP) but is not located within or adjacent to any of the Core Reserve Areas. Since the Project site and off-site improvement areas are not located within or adjacent to any of the Core Reserve Areas, no focused SKR surveys or on-site mitigation would be required.
As a result, the applicant would only be required to pay the SKR HCP Mitigation Fee prior to development of the Project site and off-site improvement areas.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to conflicts with established conservation plans beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated with implementation of MM BIO-1 and BIO-2.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.3: Biological Resources, of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MMs BIO-1 and BIO-2 are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.3-21 through 5.3-24.
5.5 Cultural Resources
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.6 Energy
Impact 5.5-1: Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Applied Due to the temporary nature of construction and the financial incentives for developers and contractors to use energy-consuming resources in an efficient manner, the construction phase of the Project would not result in wasteful, inefficient, and unnecessary consumption of energy. Title 24 standards are widely regarded as the most advanced energy efficiency standards and would help reduce the amount of energy required for lighting, water heating, and heating and air conditioning in buildings and promote energy conservation. Therefore, the operational impact related to electricity and natural gas consumption would be less than significant with incorporation of MM GHG-7. The Project would be designed and constructed in accordance with the City’s latest adopted energy efficiency standards, which are based on the California Title 24 energy efficiency standards. The Project is within close proximity of existing land uses that would provide future employees access to facilities such as residences, a gas station, and other commercial uses, City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
37 which would further reduce fuel consumption demand. For these reasons, operational-related transportation fuel consumption would not result in a significant environmental impact due to wasteful, inefficient, or unnecessary consumption of energy resources.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to conflicts with established conservation plans beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated with implementation of MM GHG-7.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.5: Energy of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.5-12 and 5.5-13.
Impact 5.5-2: Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Applied There are no policies at the local level applicable to energy conservation specific to the construction phase. Thus, it is anticipated that construction of the Project would not conflict with any applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing energy use or increasing the use of renewable energy. The Project would be designed and constructed in accordance with the City’s latest adopted energy efficiency standards, which are based on the California Title 24 energy efficiency standards.
Compliance with the aforementioned mandatory measures would ensure that the Project would not conflict with any applicable plan, policy, or regulation adopted for the purpose of reducing energy use or increasing the use of renewable energy. Therefore, operational energy efficiency and renewable energy standards consistency impacts would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project would not generate substantial impacts due to conflicts with established conservation plans beyond those concluded in the Draft EIR. Less than significant impacts are anticipated with implementation of MM GHG-7.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.5: Energy of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.5-13 and 5.5-14.
5.7 Geology and Soils
Impact 5.6-5: Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Applied Construction activities such as excavation and grading would be minimal given that the Project site is relatively flat. No major grading or excavation would be needed to substantially alter the slope of the site, City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
38 create or remove steep slopes, create retaining walls, or make other landform modifications.
Nevertheless, grading and earthwork activities during construction would expose soils to potential short- term erosion by wind and water. The Project site should be graded to prevent ponding of surface water and to prevent water from running into excavations in accordance with the construction considerations outlined in the Geotechnical Investigation (MM GEO-1). During construction, the Project site would be required to comply with erosion and siltation control measures. Construction impacts on the Project site would be minimized through compliance with the Construction General Permit (CGP). The NPDES permit requires development and implementation of a SWPPP and monitoring plan, which must include erosion- control and sediment-control BMPs. All required permits and the erosion control plan would be verified by the City prior to initiation of any construction and prior to the issuance of any grading permit.
Conformance to these requirements and verification by the City as part of the development approval process would ensure that potential impacts from construction of the Project are less than significant.
Operation of the Project site would not involve procedures which would result in substantial soil erosion.
Following construction of the Project, the Project site would be covered with hardscape which would not contribute to erosion, and it would contain some landscaping, but these areas would include ground covers to reduce erosion and loss of on-site soils post-construction. This would ensure that operation of the Project site would not result in the loss of topsoil or sedimentation into local drainage facilities and water bodies. In addition, a system of storm drains and gutters would be installed and maintained as necessary throughout the developed site. Therefore, the potential for substantial soil erosion or the loss of topsoil is considered less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.6: Geology and Soils of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measure is feasible and is made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of this mitigation measure will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
MM GEO-1 Prior to the issuance of any grading permit or building permit, City Staff shall review all Project plans involving grading, foundation, structural, infrastructure, and all other relevant construction to ensure compliance with the applicable recommendations from the Update Geotechnical Investigation for the Heritage Valley Business Center – Building 2 (Geotechnical Investigation), and the California Building Code requirements to minimize soil erosion or the loss of topsoil. Specific design considerations as outlined in the Geotechnical Investigation, included in Appendix F1 of the Draft EIR, shall be implemented in the Project construction plans to minimize the risk for soil erosion and other geologic hazards.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.6-10 through 5.6-12.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
39 Impact 5.6-7: Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Applied Project site soils are anticipated to be of low expansion potential. However, MM GEO-1 would be implemented consistent with the recommendations of the Geotechnical Investigation, ensuring that special care be given to proper moisture conditioning of all subgrade soils during site grading. All imported fill soils should have low expansive characteristics. Therefore, implementation of MM GEO-1, would ensure that the on-site soils would not be liable to significant expansion and a less than significant impact would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.6: Geology and Soils of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MM GEO-1 is feasible and is made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of this mitigation measure will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.6-12 and 5.6-13.
Impact 4.6-9: Less than Significant Impact with Mitigation Applied any paleontological resources identified in the Project area would be considered scientifically significant.
Therefore, the Project would implement MM GEO-2, MM GEO-3, and MM GEO-4 to reduce any potential impacts to paleontological resources to a less than significant level. Pursuant to MMs GEO-2 through GEO- 4, the Project Applicant would submit a Paleontological Resources Impact Mitigation Program (PRIMP) to the City prior to the issuance of a grading permit; conduct paleontological monitoring during construction activities; and perform paleontological data recovery in the event sensitive paleontological resources are found. Therefore, with the implementation of MMs GEO-2 through GEO-4, the Project’s direct or indirect impact to a unique paleontological resource or site or unique geologic feature would be reduced to a less than significant level.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.6: Geology and Soils of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, the following Mitigation Measures are feasible and is made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of this mitigation measure will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
MM GEO-2 Paleontological Resources Impact Mitigation Program. The Applicant will submit a Paleontological Resources Impact Mitigation Program (PRIMP) prepared by a City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
40 qualified paleontologist to the City of Menifee prior to the issuance of a grading permit. A qualified paleontologist is defined as an individual with an M.S./M.A. or Ph.D. in paleontology or geology who is familiar with paleontological procedures and techniques, and who is knowledgeable in the geology and paleontology of the area.
MM GEO-3 Paleontological Monitoring. A qualified paleontologist will attend preconstruction meetings to consult with the grading and excavation contractors concerning planned depths, excavation schedules, paleontological field techniques, and safety issues. In addition, all onsite construction personnel will receive Worker Education and Awareness Program (WEAP) training prior to the commencement of excavation work.
All ground-disturbing activities associated with Project construction occurring within previously undisturbed fossil bearing formations will be monitored by a qualified paleontologist or qualified paleontological monitor. A paleontological monitor is defined as an individual who has experience in the collection and salvage of fossil materials and works under the direction of a qualified paleontologist. If fossils are discovered, the paleontologist (or paleontological monitor) will recover them. In most cases, this fossil salvage can be completed in a short period of time; however, some fossil specimens, such as a complete large mammal skeleton, may require an extended salvage period. In these instances, the paleontologist (or paleontological monitor) will be allowed to temporarily direct, divert, or halt grading to allow recovery of fossil remains in a timely manner. Because of the potential for the recovering of small fossil remains, such as isolated mammal teeth, it may be necessary to set up a screen-washing operation on site.
MM GEO-4 Paleontological Data Recovery. Fossil remains collected during the monitoring and salvage portion of the program will be cleaned, repaired, sorted, and catalogued.
Prepared fossils, along with copies of all pertinent field notes, photos, and maps, will be deposited (as a donation) in a scientific institution with permanent paleontological collections located within Riverside County (or, if no repository is available, adjacent Counties). A final data recovery report will be completed that outlines the results of the paleontological monitoring program. This report will include discussions of the methods used, stratigraphic section(s) exposed, fossils collected, and significance of recovered fossils. The report will be submitted to the City upon completion.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.6-13 through 5.6-17.
5.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Significant and unavoidable greenhouse gas impacts. Refer to Section 5.7: Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
5.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.10 Hydrology and Water Quality
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
41 Impact 5.9-1: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated Construction activities associated with Project buildout could impact water quality due to sheet erosion of exposed soils, and subsequent deposition of sediment or pollutants entering nearby drainages. the Project would comply with the NPDES Construction General Permit, all applicable City GP Policies regarding water quality, and the Riverside County DAMP, which all require the Applicant to prepare and implement a SWPPP prior to obtaining a grading or building permit. With the implementation of BMPs as described in the SWPPP (see Mitigation Measure [MM] HYD-1), the Project is not anticipated to violate water quality standards during construction. Furthermore, the Project Applicant will prepare a final Project-Specific WQMP with an operations and maintenance (O&M) Plan which would identify Project BMPs.
Surface water and runoff from the impervious areas would be captured through an extensive drainage plan that would be in place which would include curb and gutter, ribbon gutters, grate inlets, storm drain lines, and an underground detention/pump system. The basins are designed to weaken the flow of post- development runoff to pre-development conditions, and have been designed to treat runoff for pollutants, pursuant to SWRCB regulations. The Santa Ana MS4 Permit requires the preparation of a project-specific WQMP for all development projects and, as such, a project-specific WQMP has been prepared for the Project. The WQMP is intended to comply with the requirements of the City’s Municipal Code Section 15.01, Storm Water/Urban Runoff, which includes the requirement for the preparation and implementation of a Project-Specific WQMP and has outlined all BMPs designed to meet water quality standards and mitigate any adverse impacts; see MM HYD-2. Therefore, impacts would be less than significant with mitigation incorporated.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 4.9: Hydrology and Water Quality of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MMs HYD-1 and HYD-2 are feasible and is made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
MM HYD-1: Prior to commencing grading, the Project Applicant shall comply with applicable construction water quality regulations including the NPDES General Construction Permit, which shall be obtained from the Regional Water Quality Control Board. This process requires that the applicant electronically submit Permit Registration Documents (PRDs) prior to commencement of construction activities in the Storm Water Multiple Application and Report Tracking System (SMARTS). PRDs consist of the Notice of Intent, Risk Assessment, Post-Construction Calculations, a Site Map, the Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), a signed certification statement by the Legally Responsible Person, and the first annual fee.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
42 The required SWPPP must be submitted to the City of Menifee Engineering Department for review and approval, identifying specific actions and Best Management Practices (BMPs) to prevent stormwater pollution during construction activities. The SWPPP shall identify a practical sequence for BMP implementation, site restoration, contingency measures, responsible parties, and agency contacts. The SWPPP shall include but not be limited to the following elements:
A. Compliance with the requirements of the State of California’s most current Construction Stormwater Permit.
B. Temporary erosion control measures shall be implemented on all disturbed areas.
C. Disturbed surfaces shall be treated with erosion control measures during the October 15 to April 15 rainy season.
D. Sediment shall be retained on-site by a system of sediment basins, traps, or other BMPs.
E. The construction contractor shall prepare Standard Operating Procedures for the handling of hazardous materials on the construction site to eliminate discharge of materials to storm drains.
F. BMP performance and effectiveness shall be determined either by visual means where applicable (e.g., observation of above-normal sediment release), or by actual water sampling in cases where verification of contaminant reduction or elimination (such as inadvertent petroleum release) is required by the Santa Ana RWQCB to determine adequacy of the measure.
G. In the event of significant construction delays or delays in final landscape installation, native grasses or other appropriate vegetative cover shall be established on the construction site as soon as possible after disturbance, as an interim erosion control measure throughout the duration of construction.
H. Prior to the issuance of the first grading permit, the Project Applicant shall submit the Final Tentative Parcel Map that includes the water quality BMPs for approval by the City of Menifee Engineer. The City of Menifee Engineer shall ensure that all applicable water quality standards are met before approving the SWPPP.
MM HYD-2: The Project Applicant shall prepare a Final Project-Specific Water Quality Management Plan (WQMP) with Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Plan for submittal together with the associated grading and improvement plans which must be approved prior to the issuance of a building or grading permit. These documents shall be prepared in accordance with applicable City (Menifee) and County (Riverside) water quality requirements, for review and approval by the City of Menifee Engineering Department, including the following:
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
43 Site Design Best Management Practices (BMPs)
Source Control BMPs
Treatment Control BMPs
BMP Sizing
Equivalent Treatment Control Alternatives
Regionally-Based Treatment Control BMPs
O&M Responsibility for Treatment Control BMPs.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.9-14 through 5.9-18.
Impact 5.9-3: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated Development of the Project would alter the existing drainage pattern of the site. Although the existing site has been previously disturbed, there are areas that are undeveloped with little existing impervious surfaces. However, the Project Applicant would obtain a NPDES Construction Stormwater Permit and implement a SWPPP to minimize soil erosion and siltation on and off the site; see MM HYD-1. BMPs as outlined in the WQMP would also be implemented during construction and operation of the site to minimize erosion and sedimentation; see MM HYD-2. In addition to the SWPPP and WQMP, the Project would comply with other applicable local and regional water quality requirements. Overall drainage patterns would be captured through the proposed drainage systems, with flows directed to the Santa Ana Watershed Region and with water quality measures applicable to the respective watershed. In consideration of existing regulations, and with implementation of MM HYD-1 and MM HYD-2, impacts would be less than significant.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.9: Hydrology and Water Quality of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MMs HYD-1 and HYD-2 are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.9-19.
Impact 5.9-4: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated Development of the Project would introduce more impervious surfaces on the site; therefore, increasing the amount and rate of surface runoff. The southern portion of the Project site is largely within an area of minimal flood hazard, identified as Zone X. The northern section of the Project site is entirely within an area of 1 percent annual chance flood with average depth less than one foot or with drainage areas of City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
44 less than one square mile determined to be outside the 0.2 percent annual chance floodplain, identified as Zone X. The 1 percent annual chance flood is also referred to as the base flood or 100-year flood.
Drainage design recommendations are included in the Project design plans and have been designed to ensure that all on- and off-site drainage and storm drain facilities would be adequately sized for the 100- year storm event. Additionally, the Project would implement MM HYD-3, which would require that the Project Applicant submit final grading and drainage plans for review and approval by the City and the EMWD, prior to issuance of any grading permit, to ensure that the Project does not result in increased flows off-site or otherwise significantly impact downstream drainage facilities. Therefore, with proposed on-site and off-site improvements and implementation of MM HYD-3, the Project would not cause additional flooding or substantial runoff, exceed the capacity of existing drainage facilities, or impede or redirect flood flows such that on-site or off-site areas are significantly impacted. Impacts would be mitigated to a less than significant level.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.9: Hydrology and Water Quality of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, Mitigation Measure MM HYD-3 is feasible and is made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
MM HYD-3: Prior to issuance of grading permits, the tentative parcel maps, grading plans, and final drainage study shall demonstrate compliance with applicable City and County drainage plans, policies, design guidelines and regulations including but not limited to City of Menifee Municipal Code Chapter 8.26 Grading Regulations.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.9-20.
Impact 5.9-5: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated The Project Applicant would develop on a mix of vacant land, non-conforming housing, and industrial land uses for industrial uses and associated infrastructure that could cause changes in absorption rates, drainage patterns, and the rate and amount of surface water runoff that could impede or redirect flood flows. The Project would mitigate the increase in runoff and the 100-year storm would be routed to match existing and proposed flow rates. The flows would be routed by storing the volume in the underground detention system until the runoff overflows and releases to meet drawdown requirements. All flows would be treated for water quality purposes and all flows would be conveyed by the proposed drainage improvements to the basins and Romoland Line-A. Therefore, with implementation of efficient design measures and applicable BMPs pursuant the Project’s WQMP and SWPPP (MMs HYD-1, -2, and -3), the Project would not substantially impede or redirect flood flows and no on-site flooding would occur.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
45 Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.9: Hydrology and Water Quality of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MMs HYD-1, HYD-2, and HYD-3 are feasible and is made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR page 5.9-21.
Impact 5.9-6: Less than Significant with Mitigation Incorporated The Project is inland and is not at risk for inundation from a tsunami since the Project site is more than 30 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The Project site is not within a seiche zone but is subject to inundation due to dam failure from the Diamond Valley Lake East Dam. With the implementation of the proposed on- and off-site DMAs, runoff would be conveyed to the corresponding underground detention system which have been designed appropriately to provide flood protection for the 100-year storm event. As such, the Project would implement BMP’s and efficient design measures pursuant to the Project’s WQMP and SWPPP (MMs HYD-1, -2, and -3), that includes, but is not limited to, the pretreatment of runoff through the proposed bioretention basins. Therefore, the Project’s impacts regarding the risk of pollutants due to inundation would be reduced to less than significant levels.
Finding: The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(a) and State CEQA Guidelines Section 15091(a), the City hereby finds that changes or alterations have been required in, or incorporated into, the Project that avoid or substantially lessen the significant effect on the environment to below a level of significance.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.9: Hydrology and Water Quality of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MMs HYD-1, HYD-2, and HYD-3 are feasible and is made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will reduce potentially significant impacts to less than significant.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.9-21 and 5.9-22.
5.11 Land Use and Planning
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.12 Mineral Resources
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.13 Noise
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
46 5.14 Population and Housing
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.15 Public Services
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.16 Recreation
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.17 Transportation
Impacts 5.13-1, 5.13-3, 5.13-4 were concluded to be less than significant. Impact 5.13-4 was concluded to be significant and unavoidable. Refer to Section 5.13: Transportation and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program.
5.18 Tribal Cultural Resources
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.19 Utilities
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
5.20 Wildfire
No impacts were concluded to be significant.
6.0 FINDINGS REGARDING SIGNIFICANT AND UNAVOIDABLE
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS WHICH CANNOT BE MITIGATED
TO A LEVEL OF LESS THAN SIGNIFICANT
6.1 Aesthetics
No impacts were concluded to be significant and unavoidable.
6.2 Agriculture and Forestry Resources
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.3 Air Quality
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.4 Biological Resources
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
47 6.5 Cultural Resources
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.6 Energy
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.7 Geology and Soils
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.8 Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Impact 5.7-1: Significant and Unavoidable Impact
The Project’s short-term construction activities (i.e., demolition, site preparation, grading, building construction, paving, architectural coating, and transport of materials and construction workers to and from the Project site) would generate GHG emissions. The GHG emissions only occur during temporary construction activities and would cease once construction is complete. Operational GHG emissions would also result from indirect sources, such as off-site generation of electrical power, the energy required to convey water to, and wastewater from the Project, the emissions associated with solid waste generated from the Project, and any fugitive refrigerants from air conditioning or refrigerators. While there are no feasible mitigation measures that would reduce vehicular emissions, the Project Applicant would install EV supply equipment in accordance with the California Building Code which will allow charging stations to be supplied based on demand. Charging stations could lead to less use of gasoline-burning automobiles and therefore, potentially less GHG emissions emitted.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.7: Greenhouse Gas Emissions of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MMs GHG-1 through GHG-7, listed above, are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will not reduce potentially significant greenhouse gas emissions impacts to less than significant. As such, the impact remains significant and unavoidable. Additionally, the following mitigation measures apply:
MM GHG-1 Legible, durable, weather-proof signs shall be placed at truck access gates, loading docks, and truck parking areas that identify applicable CARB anti-idling regulations.
At a minimum, each sign shall include: 1) instructions for truck drivers to shut off engines when not in use; 2) instructions for drivers of diesel trucks to restrict idling to no more than five (5) minutes once the vehicle is stopped, the transmission is set to "neutral" or "park," and the parking brake is engaged; and 3) telephone numbers of the building facilities manager and the CARB to report violations. Prior to the issuance of an occupancy permit, the City shall conduct a site inspection to ensure that the signs are in place.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
48 MM GHG-2 All on-site outdoor cargo-handling equipment (including yard trucks, hostlers, yard goats, pallet jacks, forklifts, and other on-site equipment) shall be electric or non- diesel fueled. All on-site indoor forklifts shall be powered by electricity.
MM GHG-3 Prior to tenant occupancy, the Project Applicant or successor in interest shall provide documentation to the City demonstrating that occupants/tenants of the Project site have been provided documentation on funding opportunities, such as the Carl Moyer Program, that provide incentives for using cleaner-than-required engines and equipment.
MM GHG-4 Conduits for the installation of electrical hookups to allow future EV trucks and trucks with APU shall be installed at a ratio of one charging station for every 50 dock high doors.
MM GHG-5 Parking areas shall be designed to accommodate EV charging stations for passenger cars consistent with CALGreen requirements.
MM GHG-6 All landscaping equipment (e.g., leaf blower) used for property management shall be electric powered only. The property manager/facility owner shall provide documentation (e.g., purchase, rental, and/or services agreement) to the City of Planning Department to verify, to the City’s satisfaction, that all landscaping equipment utilized will be electric powered.
MM GHG-7 Prior to issuance of tenant occupancy permits, the Project applicant shall be required to install a solar photovoltaic (PV) system sufficient to offset at least 20% of the Project’s projected energy demand. The final PV generation facility size requires approval by Southern California Edison (SCE). SCE’s Rule 21 governs operating and metering requirements for any facility connected to SCE’s distribution system. The City of Menifee Building and Safety Division shall verify that the building includes an electrical system and that other infrastructure is sufficiently sized to accommodate the PV arrays. The electrical system and infrastructure must be clearly labeled with noticeable and permanent signage.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.7-22 through 5.7-27.
Impact 5.7-2: Significant and Unavoidable Impact
The Project would not impede the State’s progress towards carbon neutrality by 2045 under the 2022 Scoping Plan. The Project would be required to comply with applicable current and future regulatory requirements promulgated through the 2022 Scoping Plan. The Project would be required to comply with applicable elements outlined in the Good Neighbor Guidelines. As such, the Project would be consistent with the 2022 Scoping Plan. For reasons outlined herein, the proposed Project would result in a less than significant impact with respect to the Project’s consistency with the 2022 Scoping Plan. The Project was analyzed to determine its consistency with the Menifee GP’s Open Space and Conservation Element and Circulation Element. Refer to Section 5.7: Greenhouse Gas Emissions for the full analysis of General Plan Consistency. The Project, through this EIR, has considered impacts to climate change as a factor in the City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
49 evaluation of the Project. Furthermore, the Project incorporates MMs GHG-1 through GHG-7 and design elements pursuant to the Menifee Development Code and City Good Neighbor Guidelines that would serve to reduce climate change-related impacts. the Project does not have a significant impact. However, despite plan consistency, the Project’s long-term operational GHG emissions would exceed the 3,000 MTCO2e per year threshold despite the implementation of MMs GHG-1 through GHG-7; thus, the Project could impede California’s statewide GHG reduction goals for 2030 and 2050. A potentially significant impact would therefore occur as a result of the Project.
Supportive Evidence: Please refer to Draft EIR pages 5.7-27 through 5.7-29.
6.9 Hazards and Hazardous Materials
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.10 Hydrology and Water Quality
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.11 Land Use and Planning
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.12 Mineral Resources
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.13 Noise
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.14 Population and Housing
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.15 Public Services
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.16 Recreation
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.17 Transportation
Impact 5.13-2: Significant and Unavoidable Impact
The Project would exceed the City’s impact threshold by 11,909 total VMT and would require a 30.6 percent reduction. To reduce Project-generated VMT, reductions measures are proposed that would focus on reducing employee commute VMT. As such, to reduce the Project’s VMT, MM TRA-1 through MM TRA-3 would be implemented. MM TRA-1 would require project employers to implement a commute City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
50 trip reduction (CTR) program. Additionally, MM TRA-2 would require the Project to provide a ridesharing program and to establish a permanent transportation management association . Lastly, MM TRA-3 would require the Project to install and maintain end-of-trip facilities for employee uses, such as, bike parking, bike lockers, showers, and personal lockers to encourage alternative mode of commuting for employees.
The implementation of MM TRA-1 through -3 is anticipated to reduce total Project VMT by 7.2 percent.
Given the nature of operations of warehouse uses and location of the site, there are no other feasible mitigation measures that would further reduce employee-generated VMT associated with Project operations to completely reduce Project-generated VMT below the City Threshold. As such, even with implementation of mitigation measures, the Project’s VMT impact cannot be reduced to the required 30.6 percent needed to meet the City’s threshold. Therefore, a significant and unavoidable impact would occur.
Mitigation Measures: Based upon the analysis presented in Section 5.13: Transportation of the Draft EIR, which is incorporated herein by reference, MMs TRA-1 through TRA-3, listed above, are feasible and are made binding through the MMRP. Imposition of these mitigation measures will not reduce potentially significant transportation impacts to less than significant. As such, the impact remains significant and unavoidable. Additionally, the following mitigation measures apply:
MM TRA-1 Implement Commute Trip Reduction (CTR) Marketing. Future project employers shall implement a marketing strategy to promote a CTR program. Information sharing and marketing promote and educate employees about their travel choices to the employment location beyond single occupancy driving such as carpooling, taking transit, walking, and biking, thereby reducing VMT. The following features (or similar alternatives) of the marketing strategy are essential for effectiveness.
On-site or online commuter information services.
Employee transportation coordinators.
On-site online transit pass sales.
Guaranteed ride home service.
Project employers will provide their employees with materials and online resources as a means to promote the commute trip reduction program.
MM TRA-2 Provide Ridesharing Program. The Project will provide a ridesharing program and establish a permanent transportation management association . Ridesharing encourages carpooled vehicle trips in place of single-occupied vehicle trips, thereby reducing the number of trips and VMT. Ridesharing must be promoted through a multifaceted approach. Required measures include:
Designating a certain percentage of desirable parking spaces for ridesharing vehicles. Designating adequate passenger loading and unloading and waiting areas for ridesharing vehicles.
Providing an app or website for coordinating rides.
City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
51 MM TRA-3 Provide End-of-Trip Bicycle Facilities. The measure will install and maintain end-of-trip facilities for employee use. End-of-trip facilities include bike parking, bike lockers, showers, and personal lockers. The provision and maintenance of secure bike parking and related facilities encourages commuting by bicycle, thereby reducing VMT and GHG emissions. This will promote an alternative mode of commuting for employees.
6.18 Tribal Cultural Resources
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.19 Utilities
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
6.20 Wildfire
No impacts were concluded to be and significant and unavoidable.
7.0 FINDINGS REGARDING GROWTH INDUCING IMPACTS
CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.2(d) requires that an EIR:
“Discuss the ways in which the proposed project could foster economic or population growth, or the construction of additional housing, either directly or indirectly, in the surrounding environment.”
Under State CEQA Guidelines section 15126.2(e), a project would be considered to have a growth- inducing effect if it would result in any of the following effects:
Directly or indirectly foster economic or population growth, or the construction of additional housing in the surrounding environment;
Remove obstacles to population growth (e.g., construction of an infrastructure expansion to allow for more construction in service areas);
Tax existing community service facilities, requiring the construction of new facilities that could cause significant environmental effects; or
Encourage and facilitate other activities that could significantly affect the environment, either individually or cumulatively.
Here, the Project would not result in significant growth-inducing impacts.
First, the Project would have a beneficial effect on the City’s employment base by developing a site that is largely vacant with a new industrial/warehouse facility with ancillary office space and mezzanine. Given that the current unemployment rate as of September 2025 for Riverside County and the City is approximately 6.3 percent and 5.6 percent, respectively , it is reasonably assured that the jobs would be filled by people living in the City, unincorporated County area, and surrounding communities, such as Perris and Murrieta. Furthermore, the Project site is served by existing public roadways, and utility City of Menifee
Heritage Valley Business Center Project Findings of Fact and Statement of Overriding Considerations
May 2026
52 infrastructure would be installed beneath the public rights-of-way that abut the Project site. Additionally, the Project applicant does not propose housing that would induce population growth. As a result, the Project would not significantly foster economic or population growth beyond what is planned for the City and County.
Second, the Project site currently consists of vacant undeveloped parcels, (see Section 3.0: Project Description of the Draft EIR for more information). Project development would induce population growth since the site would be developed with the proposed warehouse uses consistent with the existing and proposed land use and zoning designations. The Project would be an allowed and expected use within these land use zones and would therefore not create or remove an obstacle for growth.
Additionally, the proposed Project’s development is localized to the Project site. The construction of the new infrastructure would not amend the land uses or increase density on the parcels adjacent to the Project site. The development of the Project would involve the expansion and updating of utility facilities such as electricity and water connections in conjunction with planned utility growth in the City. The Project would include improvements to surrounding roadways that would provide access to the Project. These improvements would serve the surrounding community and improve services to these facilities and City connectivity. Roadway improvements included in the Project are discussed in Section 5.13:
Transportation and analyzed in the Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) (see Appendix K of the Draft EIR).
Substantial upgrades to the roadway system outside of the general Project area, which would promote further development are not included as components of the Project.
Finally, the Project site is currently substantially vacant with some existing adjacent unimproved roadways. Adjacent and nearby uses, including residential and commercial developments, are served by existing utilities, including electricity, natural gas, and wet and dry facilities but they have not been extended into the Project site. Existing utilities would be extended and upgraded as needed during construction of Project to serve the anticipated demands and to accommodate operation of the warehouse. The Project would include infrastructure improvements and connections to allow for the efficient use of resources such as natural gas, electricity, sewer, and water. Improvements to the Project adjacent streets would also include underground dry utility facilities (e.g., cable, electric, telephone, natural gas, television and fiber optics) along the Project’s frontage streets. The environmental impacts associated with the facility improvements associated with the proposed Project have been analyzed in Section 5.1: Aesthetics through Section 5.15: Utilities and Service Systems of the Draft EIR. Furthermore, the Project would not require the expansion of utility facilities such as water treatment plants or landfills.
Section 5.15: Utilities and Service Systems determined that there is adequate capacity of those facilities to serve the Project site.
Finding – The City adopts CEQA Finding 1.
The City hereby finds that the Project does not directly result in any significant growth-inducing impacts.
The Project involves the creation of opportunities for industrial development.
Supportive Evidence – Please refer to Draft EIR pages 6-4 and 6-5.
City of Menifee
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53 8.0 FINDINGS REGARDING PROJECT ALTERNATIVES
The following alternatives were addressed in the Draft EIR:
1) The No Project Alternative
2) Reduced Building Intensity Alternative
3) Transload Facility Alternative
8.1 No Project Alternative (Alternative 1)
Description: State CEQA Guidelines Section 15126.6, requires an evaluation of the “No Project” alternative for decision-makers to compare the impacts of approving a project with the impacts of not approving it. Alternative 1: No Project Alternative (Alternative 1) assumes that the Project site would not be developed, which means there would be no warehousing facilities, landscape improvements, or surface lot improvements developed on the Project site or off-site.
Although this alternative assumes “No Development” (as required by CEQA), this is considered a speculative assumption as the land is assumed to remain in private ownership (as there are no offers to purchase the land for public open space use). It is more likely that, eventually, the land would be developed with some form of industrial development in keeping with the City’s General Plan land use, Menifee North Specific Plan, and zoning designations.
Finding – The City adopts Finding 3.
The City finds that Alternative 1 would not meet the majority of the Project objectives, as identified above as the Project site would remain in its existing condition. Alternative 1 would not meet any of the Project objectives, as identified above, as the Project site would remain in its existing condition. The Project site would not provide employment opportunities, would not facilitate the movement of goods, and would not develop an industrial project/warehouse facility that is Class A and that would attract high-end tenants to increase the City’s tax base.
Supporting Evidence – Please see Draft EIR pages 7-5 through 7-11.
8.2 Reduced Building Intensity (23% Reduction) (Alternative 2) Description: The “Reduced Building Intensity” Alternative allows for implementation of the previously approved Ethanac Business Center (SCH No. 2024091019) and Building 2 of the Menifee Commerce Center (SCH No. 2021060247). The structures would total approximately 650,680 sf, or a 23 percent reduction in square footage when compared to the Project and would therefore create a less intense usage of the land area.
Finding – The City adopts Finding 3.
The City finds that Alternative 2 would likely lead to similar or equivalent impacts in aesthetics, energy, public services, and utilities and service systems. The smaller size of the warehouse buildings proposed in Alternative 2 would create a less distinct impact to aesthetic resources such as reduction in viewership of City of Menifee
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54 scenic vistas. Utility demand would be decreased due to the smaller building sizes as well, along with the associated fire hazards.
Alternative 2 would meet all of the Project Objectives. However, Alternative 2 does not maximize the City’s benefits realized or achievement of the Project Objectives when compared to the Project due to the reduced land coverage.
Supporting Evidence – Please see Draft EIR pages 7 -11 through 7-15.
8.3 Transload Facility Alternative (Alternative 3)
Description: Alternative 3 assumes an 84 percent reduction in building square footage as an approximately 120,000 sf transload building and 15,000 sf maintenance building would be implemented.
Additionally, 910 parking stalls would be added (240 auto parking stalls and 670 trailer parking stalls) across the 41-acre site.
Finding – The City adopts Finding 3.
The City finds that unlike the Project, Alternative 3 would develop the site with an 84 percent reduction in square footage to allow for the transload facility. Rather, the portion of the site that would no longer include building development would be developed with a vehicle/truck/trailer parking yard. Overall, Alternative 3 would be slightly less construction intensive, but has the potential to be more traffic intensive and thus generate more aesthetic, air quality, energy, GHG emissions, noise, and transportation impacts than the Project.
Supporting Evidence – Please see Draft EIR pages 7-15 through 7-19.
9.0 FINDINGS REGARDING THE MITIGATION MONITORING AND
REPORTING PROGRAM
Section 21081.6 of the Public Resources Code requires that when making findings required by Section 21081(a) of the Public Resources Code, the Lead Agency approving a project shall adopt a reporting or monitoring program for the changes to the project which it has adopted or made a condition of project approval, in order to ensure compliance with project implementation and to mitigate or avoid significant effects on the environment. The City hereby finds that:
1) A Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) has been prepared for the Project, and the mitigation measures therein. The MMRP is incorporated herein by reference and is considered part of the record of proceedings for the Project. 2) The MMRP designates responsibility for implementation and monitoring of proposed mitigation measures. The City’s Community Development Director will serve as the overall MMRP coordinator and will be primarily responsible for ensuring that all mitigation measures are complied with.
3) The MMRP prepared for the Project has been adopted concurrently with these Findings. The MMRP meets the requirements of Section 21021.6 of the Public Resources Code. The City will City of Menifee
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55 use the MMRP to track compliance with mitigation measures. The MMRP will remain available for public review during the compliance period.
10.0 OTHER FINDINGS
The City hereby finds as follows:
1) The foregoing statements are true and correct;
2) The City is the “Lead Agency” for the Project evaluated in the CEQA Documents and independently reviewed and analyzed in the Draft EIR and Final EIR for the Project; 3) The Notice of Preparation of the Draft EIR was circulated for public review. It requested that responsible agencies respond as to the scope and content of the environmental information germane to that agency’s specific responsibilities;
4) The public review period for the Draft EIR was for 45 days between March 18, 2026 and May 1, 2026. The Draft EIR and appendices were available for public review during that time. A Notice of Completion and copies of the Draft EIR were sent to the State Clearinghouse, and notices of availability of the Draft EIR were published by the City. The Draft EIR was available for review on the City’s website. Physical copies of the environmental documents are available at the City of Menifee Community Development Department, Sun City Library, and the Menifee Library;
5) The CEQA Documents were completed in compliance with CEQA; 6) The CEQA Documents reflect the City’s independent judgment; 7) The City evaluated comments on environmental issues received from persons who reviewed the Draft EIR. In accordance with CEQA, the City prepared written responses describing the disposition of significant environmental issues raised. The Final EIR provided adequate, good faith and reasoned responses to the comments. The City reviewed the comments received and responses thereto and has determined that neither the comments received nor the responses to such comments add significant new information to the Draft EIR regarding adverse environmental impacts. The City has based its actions on full appraisal of all viewpoints, including all comments received up to the date of adoption of these Findings, concerning the environmental impacts identified and analyzed in the Final EIR; 8) The City finds that the CEQA Documents, as amended, provide objective information to assist the decision-makers and the public at large in their consideration of the environmental consequences of the Project. The public review period provided all interested jurisdictions, agencies, private organizations, and individuals the opportunity to submit all comments made during the public review period;
9) The CEQA Documents evaluated the following impacts: (1) aesthetics; (2) agriculture and forestry; (3) air quality; (4) biological resources; (5) cultural resources; (6) energy; (7) geology and soils; (8) greenhouse gas emissions; (9) hazards and hazardous materials; (10) hydrology and water quality; (11) land use and planning; (12) mineral resources; (13) noise; City of Menifee
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56 (14) population and housing; (15) public services; (16) recreation; (17) transportation; (18) tribal cultural resources; (19) utilities and service systems; (20) wildfire. Additionally, the CEQA Documents considered, in separate sections, significant irreversible environmental changes and growth-inducing impacts of the Project as well as a reasonable range of project alternatives.
All of the significant environmental impacts of the Project were identified in the CEQA Documents;
10) The MMRP includes all of the mitigation measures identified in the CEQA Documents and has been designed to ensure compliance during implementation of the Project. The MMRP provides the steps necessary to ensure that the mitigation measures are fully enforceable; 11) The MMRP designates responsibility and anticipated timing for the implementation of mitigation; the City’s Community Development Director will serve as the MMRP Coordinator;
12) In determining whether the Project may have a significant impact on the environment, and in adopting these Findings pursuant to Section 21081 of CEQA, the City has complied with CEQA Sections 21081.5 and 21082.2;
13) The impacts of the Project have been analyzed to the extent feasible at the time of certification of the CEQA Documents;
14) The City made no decisions related to approval of the Project prior to the initial recommendation of certification of the CEQA Documents. The City also did not commit to a definite course of action with respect to the Project prior to the initial consideration of the CEQA Documents.
15) Copies of all the documents incorporated by reference in the CEQA Documents are and have been available upon request at all times at the offices of the City of Menifee Community Development Department, the custodian of record for such documents or other materials; 16) The responses to the comments on the Draft EIR, which are contained in the Final EIR, clarify and amplify the analysis in the Draft EIR;
17) Having reviewed the information contained in the CEQA Documents and in the administrative record, the City finds that there is no new significant information regarding adverse environmental impacts of the Project in the Final EIR; and 18) Having received, reviewed and considered all information in the CEQA Documents, as well as all other information in the record of proceedings on this matter, these Findings are hereby adopted by the City in its capacity as the CEQA Lead Agency.
11.0 STATEMENT OF OVERRIDING CONSIDERATIONS
Pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081(b), and CEQA Guidelines Section 15093(a) and (b), the decision-making agency is required to balance, as applicable, the economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of the project against its unavoidable environmental risks when determining whether to approve a project. If the specific economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits of the project outweigh the unavoidable adverse environmental effects, those effects may be considered “acceptable” City of Menifee
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57 (14 C.C.R. Section 15093 (a)). CEQA requires the agency to support, in writing, the specific reasons for considering a project acceptable when significant impacts are not avoided or substantially lessened. Those reasons must be based on substantial evidence in the FEIR or elsewhere in the administrative record (14 C.C.R. Section 15093(b)).
Courts have upheld overriding considerations that were based on a variety of policy considerations including, but not limited to, new jobs, stronger tax base, and implementation of an agency’s economic development goals, growth management policies, redevelopment plans, the need for housing and employment, conformity to community plan, and provision of construction jobs; see Towards Responsibility in Planning v. City Council (1988) 200 Cal App. 3d 671; Dusek v. Redevelopment Agency (1985) 173 Cal App. 3d 1029; City of Poway v City of San Diego (1984) 155 Cal App. 3d 1037; and Markley v. City Council (1982) 131 Cal App.3d 656.
The City finds that all feasible mitigation measures identified in the Final EIR that are within the purview of the City would be implemented with the Project, and that the mitigation measures that may be within another agency’s discretion have been, or can and should be, adopted by that other agency. As identified below, the City further finds that the remaining significant unavoidable effects are outweighed and are found to be acceptable due to the following specific overriding economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, based upon the facts set forth above, the FEIR, and the record.
In accordance with the requirements of CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines, the City finds that the mitigation measures identified in the Final EIR and the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP), when implemented, would avoid, or substantially lessen all of the significant effects identified in the Final EIR for the Heritage Valley Business Center (Project). However, certain significant impacts of the Project are unavoidable even after incorporation of all feasible mitigation measures. Even with MMs GHG-1 through GHG-7 in Section 5.7: Greenhouse Gas Emissions and MMs TRA-1 through TRA-3 in Section 5.13:
Transportation, a significant impact would remain.
The City finds that all feasible mitigation measures identified in the Final EIR that are within the purview of the City would be implemented with the Project. As identified below, the City further finds that the remaining significant unavoidable effects are outweighed and are found to be acceptable due to the following specific overriding economic, legal, social, technological, or other benefits, based upon the facts set forth above, the Final EIR, and the record.
The City finds that any one of the benefits set forth below is sufficient by itself to warrant approval of the Project. This determination is based on the findings herein and the evidence in the record. Having balanced the unavoidable adverse environmental impacts against each of the benefits, the City hereby adopts this Statement of Overriding Considerations for the following reasons:
1. All feasible mitigation measures have been imposed to lessen Project impacts to less than significant levels; and furthermore, alternatives to the Project are infeasible because while they have similar or less environmental impacts, they do not provide the economic benefits of the Project, or are otherwise socially or economically infeasible when compared to the Project, as described in the Statement of Facts and Findings.
2. The Project is consistent with and will contribute to achieving the goals and objectives established by the General Plan. Implementing the City’s General Plan as a policy is a legal and social City of Menifee
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58 prerogative of the City. The Project would be consistent with the following General Plan Goals and Policies through the implementation of COAs and Mitigation Measures.
Goals and policies from the Circulation Element applicable to the Project include:
Goal C-1 A roadway network that meets the circulation needs of all residents, employees, and visitors to the city of Menifee.
Policy C-1.1: Require roadways to: Comply with federal, state, and local design and safety standards; Meet the needs of multiple transportation modes and users; Be compatible with the streetscape and surrounding land uses; Be maintained in accordance with best practices.
Policy C-1.2 Require development to mitigate its traffic impacts and achieve a peak hour LOS D or better at intersections, except at constrained intersections at close proximity to the I- 215 where LOS E may be permitted.
Policy C-1.3 Work with Caltrans, RCTC, and others to identify, fund, and implement needed improvements to roadways identified in the citywide roadway network.
Policy C-1.5 Minimize idling times and vehicle miles traveled to conserve resources, protect air quality, and limit greenhouse gas emissions.
Goal C-2 A bikeway and community pedestrian network that facilitates and encourages nonmotorized travel throughout the City of Menifee.
Policy C-2.1 Require on- and off-street pathways to: Comply with federal, state, and local design safety standards; Meet the needs of multiple types of users (families, commuters, recreational beginners, exercise experts) and meet ADA standards and guidelines; Be compatible with the streetscape and surrounding land uses; Be maintained in accordance with best practices.
Policy C-2.2 Provide off-street multipurpose trails and on-street bike lanes as our primary paths of citywide travel, and explore the shared use of low speed roadways for connectivity wherever it is safe to do so.
Policy C-2.3 Require walkways that promote safe and convenient travel between residential areas, businesses, schools, parks, and recreation areas, transit facilities, and other key destination points.
Goals and policies from the Community Design Element applicable to the Project include:
Goal CD-3 Projects, developments, and public spaces that visually enhance the character of the community and are appropriately buffered from dissimilar land uses so that differences in type and intensity do not conflict.
Policy CD-3.3 Minimize visual impacts of public and private facilities and support structures through sensitive site design and construction. This includes, but is not limited to: appropriate placement of facilities; undergrounding, where possible; and aesthetic design (e.g., cell tower stealthing).
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59 Policy CD-3.5 Design parking lots and structures to be functionally and visually integrated and connected; off-street parking lots should not dominate the street scene.
Policy CD-3.8 Design retention/detention basins to be visually attractive and well-integrated with any associated project and with adjacent land uses.
Policy CD-3.9 Utilize Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) techniques and defensible space design concepts to enhance community safety.
Policy CD-3.10 Employ design strategies and building materials that evoke a sense of quality and permanence.
Policy CD-3.12 Utilize differing but complementary forms of architectural styles and designs that incorporate representative characteristics of a given area.
Policy CD-3.14 Provide variations in color, texture, materials, articulation, and architectural treatments. Avoid long expanses of blank, monotonous walls or fences.
Policy CD-3.15 Require property owners to maintain structures and landscaping to high standards of design, health, and safety.
Policy CD-3.16 Avoid use of long, blank walls in industrial developments by breaking them up with vertical and horizontal façade articulation achieved through stamping, colors, materials, modulation, and landscaping.
Policy CD-3.17 Encourage the use of creative landscape design to create visual interest and reduce conflicts between different land uses.
Policy CD-3.19 Design walls and fences that are well integrated in style with adjacent structures and terrain and utilize landscaping and vegetation materials to soften their appearance.
Policy CD-3.20 Avoid the blocking of public views by solid walls.
Goal CD-6 Attractive landscaping, lighting, and signage that conveys a positive image of the community.
Policy CD-6.3 Require property owners to maintain the existing landscape on developed nonresidential sites and replace unhealthy or dead landscaping.
Policy CD-6.4 Require that lighting and fixtures be integrated with the design and layout of a project and that they provide a desirable level of security and illumination.
Policy CD-6.5 Limit light leakage and spillage that may interfere with the operations of the Palomar Observatory.
Goal N-1 Noise-sensitive land uses are protected from excessive noise and vibration exposure.
Policy N-1.1 Assess the compatibility of proposed land uses with the noise environment when preparing, revising, or reviewing development project applications.
Policy N-1.2 Require new projects to comply with the noise standards of local, regional, and state building code regulations, including but not limited to the city's Municipal Code, Title 24 of the California Code of Regulations, the California Green Building Code, and subdivision and development codes.
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60 Policy N-1.7 Mitigate exterior and interior noises to the levels listed in the table below to the extent feasible, for stationary sources adjacent to sensitive receptors (refer to Error! Reference source not found. in the Draft EIR)
Policy N-1.8 Locate new development in areas where noise levels are appropriate for the proposed uses. Consider federal, state, and city noise standards and guidelines as a part of new development review.
Policy N-1.9 Limit the development of new noise-producing uses adjacent to noise-sensitive receptors and require that new noise-producing land be are designed with adequate noise abatement measures.
Policy N-1.10 Guide noise-tolerant land uses into areas irrevocably committed to land uses that are noise-producing, such as transportation corridors adjacent to the I-215 or within the projected noise contours of any adjacent airports.
Policy N-1.11 Discourage the siting of noise-sensitive uses in areas in excess of 65 dBA CNEL without appropriate mitigation.
Policy N-1.12 Minimize potential noise impacts associated with the development of mixed-use projects (vertical or horizontal mixed-use) where residential units are located above or adjacent to noise-generating uses.
Policy N-1.13 Require new development to minimize vibration impacts to adjacent uses during demolition and construction.
Policy N-1.15 Employ noise mitigation practices and materials, as necessary, when designing future streets and highways, and when improvements occur along existing road segments.
Mitigation measures should emphasize the establishment of natural buffers or setbacks between the arterial roadways and adjoining noise-sensitive areas.
Goal N-2 Minimal Noise Spillover. Minimal noise spillover from noise-generating uses, such as agriculture, commercial, and industrial uses into adjoining noise-sensitive uses.
Policy N-2.1 Require that new developments abutting residentially designated properties that operate stationary noise sources such as industrial, commercial, entertainment, institutional uses, hospitals, or large hotels, be designed to minimize noise impacts generated by loading areas, parking lots, trash enclosures, mechanical equipment, and any other noise-generating features to the extent feasible.
Policy N-2.2 Require commercial or industrial truck delivery hours to be limited when adjacent to noise-sensitive land uses unless there is no feasible alternative or there are overriding transportation benefits.
Goals and policies from the Open Space and Conservation Element applicable to the Project include:
Goal OSC-4 Efficient and environmentally appropriate use and management of energy and mineral resources to ensure their availability for future generations.
Policy OCS-4.1 Apply energy efficiency and conservation practices in land use, transportation demand management, and subdivision and building design.
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61 Policy OCS-4.2 Evaluate public and private efforts to develop and operate alternative systems of energy production, including solar, wind, and fuel cell.
Goal OSC-5 Archaeological, historical, and cultural resources are protected and integrated into the city's built environment.
Policy OCS-5.1 Preserve and protect archaeological and historic resources and cultural sites, places, districts, structures, landforms, objects and native burial sites, traditional cultural landscapes and other features, consistent with state law and any laws, regulations or policies which may be adopted by the city to implement this goal and associated policies.
Policy OSC-5.2: Work with local schools, organizations, appropriate Native American tribes with ancestral territories located within the city and other agencies to educate the public about the rich archaeological, historic, and cultural resources found in the city.
Policy OSC-5.3: Preserve sacred sites identified in consultation with the appropriate Native American tribes whose ancestral territories are within the city, such as Native American burial locations, by avoiding activities that would negatively impact the sites, while maintaining the confidentiality of the location and nature of the sacred site.
Policy OCS-5.4 Establish clear and responsible policies and best practices to identify, evaluate, and protect previously unknown archaeological, historic, and cultural resources, following applicable CEQA and NEPA procedures and in consultation with the appropriate Native American tribes who have ancestral lands within the city.
Policy OSC-5.5: Develop clear policies regarding the preservation and avoidance of cultural resources located within the city, in consultation with the appropriate Native American tribes who have ancestral lands within the city
Policy OSC-5.6: Develop strong government-to-government relationships and consultation protocols with the appropriate Native American tribes with ancestral territories within the city in order to ensure better identification, protection and preservation of cultural resources, while also developing appropriate educational programs, with tribal participation, for Menifee residents.
Goal OSC-7: A reliable and safe water supply that effectively meets current and future user demands.
Policy OCS-7.1 Work with the Eastern Municipal Water District to ensure that adequate, high-quality potable water supplies and infrastructure are provided to all development in the community.
Policy OCS-7.2 Encourage water conservation as a means of preserving water resources.
Policy OCS-7.8 Protect groundwater quality by decommissioning existing septic systems and establishing connections to sanitary sewer infrastructure.
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62 Goal OSC-8 Protected biological resources, especially sensitive and special status wildlife species and their natural habitats.
Policy OCS-8.4 Identify and inventory existing natural resources in the City of Menifee.
Policy OCS-8.5 Recognize the impacts new development will have on the City's natural resources and identify ways to reduce these impacts.
Goal OSC-9 Reduced impacts to air quality at the local level by minimizing pollution and particulate matter.
Policy OCS-9.1 Meet state and federal clean air standards by minimizing particulate matter emissions from construction activities.
Policy OCS-9.2 Buffer sensitive land uses, such as residences, schools, care facilities, and recreation areas from major air pollutant emission sources, including freeways, manufacturing, hazardous materials storage, wastewater treatment, and similar uses.
Policy OCS-9.3 Comply with regional, state, and federal standards and programs for control of all airborne pollutants and noxious odors, regardless of source.
Policy OCS-9.5 Comply with the mandatory requirements of Title 24 Part 1 of the California Building Standards Code (CALGreen) and Title 24 Part 6 Building and Energy Efficiency Standards.
Goal OSC-10 An environmentally aware community that is responsive to changing climate conditions and actively seeks to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions.
Policy OCS-10.1 Align the City's local GHG reduction targets to be consistent with the statewide GHG reduction target of AB 32.
Policy OCS-10.2 Align the City's long-term GHG reduction goal consistent with the statewide GHG reduction goal of Executive Order S-03-05.
Policy OCS-10.3 Participate in regional greenhouse gas emission reduction initiatives.
Policy OCS-10.4 Consider impacts to climate change as a factor in evaluation of policies, strategies, and projects.
Goals and policies from the Safety Element applicable to the Project include:
Goal S-1 A community that is minimally impacted by seismic shaking and earthquake-induced or other geologic hazards.
Policy S-1.1 Require all new habitable buildings and structures to be designed and built to be seismically resistant in accordance with the most recent California Building Code adopted by the city.
Goal S-2 A community that has used engineering solutions to reduce or eliminate the potential for injury, loss of life, property damage, and economic and social disruption caused by geologic hazards such as slope instability; compressible, collapsible, expansive or corrosive soils; and subsidence due to groundwater withdrawal.
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63 Policy S-2.1 Require all new developments to mitigate the geologic hazards that have the potential to impact habitable structures and other improvements.
Policy S-2.2 Monitor the losses caused by geologic hazards to existing development and require studies to specifically address these issues, including the implementation of measures designed to mitigate these hazards, in all future developments in these areas.
Policy S-2.3 Minimize grading and modifications to the natural topography to prevent the potential for man-induced slope failures.
Goal S-4 A community that has effective fire mitigation and response measures in place, and as a result is minimally impacted by wildland and structure fires.
Policy S-4.1 Require fire-resistant building construction materials, the use of vegetation control methods, and other construction and fire prevention features to reduce the hazard of wildland fire. Ensure all new development and/or redevelopment in the LRA and VHFHSZ will comply with the California Fire Code (CFC) and California Building Code (CBC). All new development within the LRA Very High Fire zone will comply with Chapter 49 of the California Fire Code and Chapter 7A of the California Building Code.
Policy S-4.2 Ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that fire services, such as firefighting equipment and personnel, infrastructure, and response times, are adequate for all sections of the City. The City will continue to coordinate with the Riverside County Fire Department, for Interagency coordination, to respond to emergency calls in Menifee and to provide training and ongoing programs for public education.
Policy S-4.4 Review development proposals for impacts to fire facilities and compatibility with fire areas or mitigate.
Policy S-4.11 When feasible, the City will minimize all new residential, commercial, and industrial development in the VHFHSZ.
Policy S-4.14 All new parcel maps and tentative maps in the LRA, SRA, and VHFHSZ shall provide two points of access to the project in conformance with the California Building Code and California Fire Code and CA GC 65302 (g)(5). Approval of parcel maps and tentative maps in LRA’s, SRAs or VHFHSZs is conditional based on meeting the SRA Fire Safe Regulations and the Fire Hazard Reduction Around Buildings and Structures Regulations, particularly those regarding road standards for ingress, egress, and fire equipment access. (See Gov. Code, § 66474.02.).
Policy S-4.17 The City should ensure that all new development has adequate water, sewer, and fire protection consistent with the most current California Building Code and California Fire Code and will comply with the Board of Forestry and Fire Protection Fire Safe Regulations.
Goal S-5 A community that has reduced the potential for hazardous materials contamination.
Policy S-5.1 Locate facilities involved in the production, use, storage, transport, or disposal of hazardous materials away from land uses that may be adversely impacted by such activities and areas susceptible to impacts or damage from a natural disaster.
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64 Policy S-5.4 Ensure that all facilities that handle hazardous materials comply with federal and state laws pertaining to the management of hazardous wastes and materials.
Policy S-5.5 Require facilities that handle hazardous materials to implement mitigation measures that reduce the risks associated with hazardous material production, storage, and disposal.
Goals and policies from the Land Use Element applicable to the Project include:
Goal LU-3 A full range of public utilities and related services that provide for the immediate and long-term needs of the community.
Policy LU-3.4 Require that approval of new development be contingent upon the project's ability to secure appropriate infrastructure services.
Policy LU-3.5 Facilitate the shared use of right-of-way, transmission corridors, and other appropriate measures to minimize the visual impact of utilities infrastructure throughout Menifee.
Goal LU-4 Ensure development is consistent with the Riverside County Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan.
Policy LU-4.2 Ensure that development proposals within the March Air Reserve Base and Perris Valley Airport areas of influence fully comply with the permit procedures specified in Federal and State law, with the referral requirements of the Airport Land Use Commission (ALUC), and with the conditions of approval imposed or recommended by the Federal Aviation Administration and ALUC, such as land use compatibility criteria, including density, intensity, and coverage standards. This requirement is in addition to all other City development review requirements.
Although significant impacts will remain, the City will mitigate any significant adverse impacts to greenhouse gas emissions to the maximum extent practicable. In its decision to approve the Project, the City Council has considered the Project benefits to outweigh the environmental impacts.
12.0 CERTIFICATION OF THE FINAL EIR
The City Council certifies that the Final EIR was prepared in compliance with CEQA and the CEQA Guidelines and that the City Council has complied with CEQA’s procedural and substantive requirements.
The City Council further certifies that it has reviewed and considered the EIR in evaluation of the Project and that the EIR reflects the independent judgment and analysis of the City Council. The City Council further finds that no new significant information as defined by CEQA Guidelines Section 15088.5, has been received by the City Council after the circulation of the Draft EIR that would require further recirculation.
Accordingly, the City Council certifies the Final EIR for the Heritage Valley Business Center Project.
As the decision-making body for approval, the City Council has reviewed and considered the information contained in the Findings and supporting documentation. The City Council determines that the Findings contain a complete and accurate reporting of the unavoidable impacts and benefits of the Project as detailed in the Statement of Overriding Considerations.