1 RESOLUTION NO. 26-_____
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF MENIFEE,
CALIFORNIA ADOPTING AN INITIAL STUDY AND MITIGATED
NEGATIVE DECLARATION FOR PLOT PLAN NO. PLN22-0190 FOR
THE CONSTRUCTION OF A 328,227 SQUARE FOOT SPECULATIVE
WAREHOUSE BUILDING “TRUMBLE AND WATSON WAREHOUSE”
WHEREAS, on July 28, 2022, the applicant, Ukiah Partners LLC (“Applicant”), filed a formal application with the City of Menifee for the approval of Plot Plan (PP) No.
PLN22-0190 for the construction of a speculative warehouse building totaling 328,227 square feet on approximately 17.19 acres. The Project site is south of Watson Road, north of Ethanac Road, west of Sherman Road and east of I-215 and Trumble Road (APN 329-240-046, -048, -049 & -051); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), an Initial Study (IS) and Mitigated Negative Declaration (MND) have been prepared to analyze and mitigate the Project's potentially significant environmental impacts; and
WHEREAS, between October 8, 2025 and November 6, 2025, the 30-day public review period for the Draft IS/MND took effect, which was publicly noticed by a publication in a newspaper of general circulation, notice posted on-site and sent to property owners within 450 feet of the Project site boundaries, related agencies and government agencies; and
WHEREAS, on May 3, 2026, the Project was publicly noticed by a publication in The Press Enterprise, a newspaper of general circulation, an agenda posting, notices placed on the Project site, notice to property owners and non-owner residents within 450 feet of the Project boundaries, notice to all relevant agencies and to persons requesting notification; and
WHEREAS, on May 13, 2026, the Planning Commission of the City of Menifee held a public hearing and voted 4-1 to approve the Project, including all materials in the staff report and the MND; and
WHEREAS, on May 20, 2026, an application to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision on the Project, including the approval of PP No. PLN22-0190 was submitted by Mayor Ricky Estrada (PLN26-0086); and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2026, an application to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision on the Project, including the approval of PP No. PLN22-0190 was submitted by the Golden State Environmental Justice Alliance (GSEJA) (PLN26- 0085); and
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2026, an application to appeal the Planning Commission’s decision on the Project, including the approval of PP No. PLN22-0190 was submitted by the Supporters Alliance for Environmental Responsibility (SAFER) (PLN26-0081); and
WHEREAS, the City has complied with CEQA and the IS/MND is an accurate and objective statement that fully complies with CEQA, the CEQA Guidelines and represents the independent judgment of the City; and
Trumble and Watson Warehouse – IS/MND
July 15, 2026
2 WHEREAS, on July 15, 2026, the City Council of the City of Menifee held a public hearing on the appeal of the Planning Commission’s decision and approval of PP No. PLN22-0190, considered all public testimony as well as all materials in the staff report and accompanying documents for the appeal, which hearing was publicly noticed by a publication in The Press Enterprise, a newspaper of general circulation, an agenda posting, notice to property owners within 450 feet of the Project boundaries, on-site posting at the Project site, and to persons requesting public notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Council of the City of Menifee resolves as follows:
1. The City Council finds on the basis of the evidence presented and the whole record before it, including the IS/MND, which is attached hereto as Exhibit “A” and “B” and Exhibit “C” and “D”, and any comments received, that there is no substantial evidence that the Project, as mitigated, will have a significant effect on the environment.
2. Consistency with Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP)
The City of Menifee has two active conservation plans within the City’s boundary, the Western Riverside County MSHCP, and the Stephen’s Kangaroo Rat Habitat Conservation Plan (SKR-HCP). The subject site is within the jurisdiction of the SKR-HCP and the Western Riverside County MSHCP. The Project site is located inside the SKR-HCP (Dipodomys stephensi) Fee Area. The proposed Project is located within the boundaries of the Western Riverside County MSHCP; however, the Project is not located within a Criteria Cell or Cell Group. The biology report prepared for this Project notes the Project’s consistency with the findings of the MSHCP.
The Project will be subject to the payment of fees consistent with MMC Chapter 17.03 as adopted by the City of Menifee. Therefore, the Project will not conflict with the provisions of the adopted MSHCP, Natural Conservation Community Plan, or other approved local, regional, or state conservation plan and the impact is considered less than significant.
3. The City Council finds the Mitigation Monitoring and Reporting Program (MMRP) which is attached hereto as an appendix to Exhibit “E” and incorporated herein by reference, will assure compliance during project implementation.
4. The City Council finds the adoption of the IS/MND reflects the City Council’s independent judgment and analysis.
5. The IS/MND, all documents referenced in the MND, and the record of proceedings on which the City Council’s decision is based, are located at City of Menifee City Hall at 29844 Haun Road, Menifee, CA 92586 and the custodian of record of proceedings is the City of Menifee City Clerk.
6. The City Council adopts an IS/MND for the Project including, but not limited to, the MMRP as attached to the IS/MND.
Trumble and Watson Warehouse – IS/MND
July 15, 2026
3 PASSED, APPROVED AND ADOPTED this the 15th day of July 2026. _________________________
Ricky Estrada, Mayor
Attest:
___________________________
Stephanie Roseen, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
______________________________
Jeffery T. Melching, City Attorney