2024 Annual Progress Report
for the
Murrieta General Plan 2035
CITY COUNCIL
Cindy Warren, Mayor
Jon Levell, Mayor Pro Tem
Ron Holliday
Lisa DeForest
Lori Stone
City Manager
Justin Clifton, City Manager
Kristen Crane, Assistant City Manager
Development Services Department
David Chantarangsu, AICP, Development Services Director Jarrett Ramaiya, Deputy Director
Carl Stiehl, City Planner
INTRODUCTION
This General Plan Annual Progress Report, hereafter referred to as APR and/or Report, is being prepared to comply with Government Code Section 65400. The purpose of the Report is to inform the local legislative body (City Council) and the State Office of Land use and Climate Innovation (LUCI) on the status of the City’s General Plan and progress in its implementation.
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
The Development Services Department (DSD) is tasked with preparing, updating and amending the General Plan. In addition, DSD implements the City’s Development Code, and coordinates the review and approval of development applications, specific plans and special studies. DSD also functions as the staff liaison to various commissions and committees, including:
Planning Commission
Development Advisory Group (DAG)
Murrieta Housing Authority (City Council)
Additionally, DSD staff, along with other departments are involved with regional planning efforts:
Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) Technical Advisory Committees SCAG RHNA Subcommittee
SCAG Housing Policy Leadership Academy
Lasting Affordability Grants Advocacy Group
GENERAL PLAN IMPLEMENTATION:
On July 7, 2020 a focused update of the General Plan was approved by the City Council. The General Plan was last comprehensively updated in July of 2011. That update, referred to as General Plan 2035, was done to comply with State law, which requires that local jurisdictions adopt a General Plan and keep the document current with Federal, State and local laws. The General Plan goals and policies reflect the long range vision of the community; including elected officials, staff and the public. The most recent update in 2020 included Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) implementation, an update to the Climate Action Plan (CAP) as well as land use changes to preserve open space and implementation of a new land use designation and zone, Innovation. In 2024 staff began work on a cleanup of the General Plan to incorporate the Murrieta Hills Specific Plan throughout the document, incorporate changes from new State laws, such as the new fire mapping and evacuation routes, other changes such as Noise and Lighting Ordinances and cleanup land use changes. The cleanup of the General Plan is anticipated to move forward to workshops and public hearings for adoption in 2025.
The LUCI provides guidelines for preparing the General Plan, for complying with Government Planning, and a Guide to complying with legal requirements for Tribal consultations. The City of Murrieta chose to update the General Plan to provide the goals and policies for economic development as the national, state, and local economies recover from the recent economic downturns and in order to implement VMT and to update the CAP. LUCI also provides a “Strategy for Sustainable Communities Guidelines” to assist local communities in developing policies that encourage sustainable development and comply with new regulations requiring GHG reductions, and adoption of sustainable policies and programs to meet those requirements.
The General Plan 2035 update was implemented, in part, to put the City into compliance with new State laws such as Assembly Bill (AB) 32 for greenhouse gas reduction, and Senate bill (SB) 375, which requires a Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS). SB 375 requires Regional Planning Agencies like the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) to develop an SCS that integrates Regional Transportation Planning, and local planning efforts to meet the State requirements for greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. The updated CAP provided an updated baseline year of 2016, emission forecasts for 2030, 2035 and 2050 with emission reduction targets for 2030 and 2050 in line with the more recent State targets. Moving forward into 2025 with the cleanup of the General Plan additional updates are needed as changes have happened in State law since 2020 and the City has annexed a new area in late 2022, Murrieta Hills Specific Plan. Updates are planned for the CAP as well.
The Housing Element is a required element of the General Plan regulated by its own sections of applicable State Law. The most recent Housing Element for the 2021-2029 (6th) housing cycle was adopted by the City Council June 6, 2023 and certified by HCD on October 26, 2023. The City continues to move forward with implementing Housing Element Policy Actions and Programs, including the recently adopted Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Residential Objective Design Standards to facilitate multi-family residential development. More detailed information on Housing Element implementation is included in the Housing APR attached to this report.
Existing General Plan:
The General Plan is currently organized with the following chapters:
01 - Introduction
02 - Vision
03 - Land Use Element
04 - Economic Development Element
05 - Circulation Element
06 - Infrastructure Element
07 - Healthy Community Element
08 - Conservation Element
09 - Recreation and Open Space Element
10 - Air Quality Element
11 - Noise Element
12 - Safety Element
13 - Housing Element
14 - Implementation Plan
The General Plan 2035 prepared in 2011 was drafted as a comprehensive update of the 1994 General Plan, and contains the required seven elements, Economic Development, Healthy Community and Air Quality Elements. Recreation and Open Space are combined into a single element. The City’s CAP as part of the General Plan EIR includes measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) as the City continues to build out. Each City department and division is annually requested to provide a list of actions taken and/or programs developed, which implement the policies in the General Plan related to these elements. Examples from those lists of implementation tasks in process or completed during the year 2023 are listed below under each element.
Land Use Element Chapter 3:
Continued to assist the affordable housing development of the Oak View Ranch Project, a 200 unit complex with an integrated Boys & Girls Club, on the City-owned Adams Ave. property, occupancy of the first phase of the project is anticipated in 2025.
Granted TCOs and assisted with lease up of the Monamos Terrace Apartments, 140 Unit Affordable Apartment complex on Los Alamos, the first affordable project in the City in many years with full lease up anticipated in early 2025.
Final inspection and occupancy of the second Home Depot Store in the City at the Orchard Shopping Center off Clinton Keith and I-215 at the end of 2024.
Approval of the entitlement for the LMC project, 387 unit multi-family residential development on Jefferson.
Approval of the entitlement for the Sancerra Apartments project, 243 unit multi-family residential development at Whitewood and Clinton Keith.
Approval of the entitlement of the Viscar Terrace Apartments, a low-income affordable 172 unit multi-family residential development on Vista Murrieta.
Additional residential developments were entitled, approved and/or permitted, refer to the attached Housing APR for Building Permits Issued and Finaled and Residential Projects Entitled in the year 2024.
Economic Development Element Chapter 4:
Welcomed the Murrieta Hot Springs Resort with their Grand Opening in February 2024. This 46-acre wellness retreat features over 50 Hot Springs Pools and spas along with world class resort amenities.
Solicited RFP for construction work related to the U.S. Department of Commerce $3 million grant to build a wet lab, dry lab, and creative office space in the Murrieta Innovation Center.
Assisted new owners of Village Walk commercial center with tenant acquisition, including new Urban Air indoor fun center and Ticca Tikka restaurant.
Assisted multiple hotel groups in site selection, with 7 current hotels in the pipeline.
Hosted two Job Fairs in Murrieta.
Celebrated many new restaurant openings, including:
Best Pizza and Brew
Da Boyz
Wanns Bar & Grill (Coming Soon)
Lynns Grand Buffet (Coming Soon)
The Pizza Guys
Destination Smokehouse
Ticca Tikka
Roni’s West
ThirsTea
Hush Coffee
The Hungry Dragon
Celebrated The Home Depot’s Grand Opening of their second Murrieta Location.
Worked with Five Below on locating in the Orchard Shopping Center Assisted multiple grocers in site selection.
Continued work on “Murrieta Money Match Shop Local Campaign” for both retail and restaurants.
Assisted multiple auto groups and retail tenants in site selection. Assisted CryoQuip with expansion plans on current location.
Assisted Walmart with application for 50K sq.ft. expansion on current location.
Assisted CarMax with application for multi-acre expansion adjacent to current site.
Assisted Hotel Developer with submittal of Sapphire property to build a Second hotel on site along with a commercial/restaurant addition.
Economic Development Opportunities:
Began a long-term planning initiative with water districts to address the needs of growing infrastructure to match development patterns.
Continued efforts with Tourism Bureau to increase hospitality traffic to Murrieta.
Circulation Element Chapter 5:
Pedestrian Safety Enhancements program continued with various curb ramps and crosswalks improvements.
Awarded CIP for traffic signal at Washington and Weeping Willow.
Facilitated Downtown Night Market Events signage and barricades twice a month.
Infrastructure Element Chapter 6:
Continued work on Recycled Water Retrofit Program with Rancho Cal Water District.
Performed ongoing stormdrain and stormwater maintenance and cleanup as needed with winter 2024 storms and impacts from rains.
Healthy Community Element Chapter 7:
For 2024, successfully hosted many large-scale events for the community to be healthy:
3/23/24 – Facilitated Egg Hunt and Recreation Expo at Town Square Park Amphitheater. 4/ 6-7/24 – Provided assistance for the annual Tour de Murrieta. 4/13/24 – Facilitated Murrieta Fire & Rescue’s 77th anniversary Firefighters Barbeque at Town Square Park. 4/20-21/24-Hosted NHG Blues and Jazz Festival at Town Square Park and Amphitheater 4/27/24 Assisted Riverside County with their first annual 1 Life 1 Heart Poisoning and Overdose Awareness 5k 5/27/24 – Organized Memorial Day Ceremony held at Town Square Park. 6/15/24 – Held Father’s Day Car Show at California Oaks Sports Park. 6/22-23/24 Hosted NHG Old Town Music Fest at Town Square Park and Amphitheater 6/29/24 – Coordinated Murrieta’s 32nd Birthday Bash with concerts and fireworks. 7/6/24, 7/13/24, 7/20/24, and 7/27/24- Coordinated Concerts in the Park at Town Square Park. 8/3/24 - Coordinated Splash Bash at Town Square Park
9/11/24 – Organized 9/11 the 23rd anniversary 9/11 observance ceremony. 10/11/24 – 10/12/24 - Supported Murrieta’s Rod Run in Downtown Murrieta. 10/13/24 – Supported the annual Susan G. Komen More Than Pink Walk for breast cancer awareness at Town Square Park. 10/19-20/24-Hosted NHG Rocktoberfest at Town Square Park and Amphitheater 10/26/24 – Coordinated alongside Murrieta Police Department the annual Trunk or Treat, concert, and laser show event at Town Square Park Amphitheater.
From 11/9/24 through 11/16/24 – Hosted the annual Field of Honor festivities at Town Square Park. 11/11/24 – Organized the annual Veterans Day Parade.
12/7/24 – Held the annual tree lighting event at Town Square Park.
From 12/2/2024 – 12/12/2024 – Coordinated the “Santa Stops” around the City.
The City continued to implement innovative and inclusive programming at the library:
Completed Library Strategic Plan, incorporating community survey insights and stakeholder input and adoption of the Library Strategic Plan by City Council in December 2024. 175,082 visitors came to the Library in 2024, increasing from 163,544 in 2023.
Total circulation for 2024 was 591,139 items, reflecting strong community engagement.
New library card registrations increased to 4,219 in 2024, showing community growth.
The Library hosted over 350 programs in 2024, with 13,321 attendees, demonstrating continued success in public engagement for all ages.
The Library launched new interactive and social programs, including Chess Club, STEM Labs, and Kid’s Science workshops.
Provided 66 storytimes for various ages that assist early learners with cognitive, physical, and language development through social interaction.
Hosted mindfulness storytimes, gentle yoga, and sound bath sessions to promote community wellness.
Continued partnership with Love on a Leash to provide Dog Tales, a program where children can practice reading to therapy dogs.
Offered the Library for All program series for children, teens, and adults with disabilities.
Awarded $61,627 in grant funds from various grant programs in 2024.
Public Library Association Digital Literacy grant - $10,000 to install a smart board in the computer lab for conducting digital literacy classes.
Zip Books - $31,627 from the California State Library to fund patron-driven collection development for new books not in the Library’s collection that are delivered to the patron’s home and then added to the Library’s collection.
Inspiration Grant - $20,000 from the California State Library to fund the expansion of Library for All programs for patrons with disabilities, including programs for children, teens, and adults.
EmPOWERing Access Project – The California State Library purchased an ADA-accessible study booth and 10 solar charging devices for public use.
Solar Eclipse Glasses – Received 2,000 solar eclipse glasses from STAR Net that were distributed to library patrons for safe viewing of the solar eclipses in 2024.
Completed several grant projects and programs from grants awarded in 2023 totaling $184,345 in funding:
Western Municipal Water District - $25,000 for the installation of the Library’s pollinator demonstration garden Inspiration Grant - $20,000 from the California State Library to fund the expansion of Library for All programs for patrons with disabilities, including programs for children, teens, and adults.
E-Books for All - $40,000 from the California State Library to fund e-book and e-audiobook purchases on the Palace Project platform.
Community Improvement Designation Grant – $25,900 from the Riverside County Third District Supervisor’s Office to fund new furniture for the Children’s Area expansion project.
Park Pass Grant Round 2 - $35,000 from the California State Library to fund outdoor learning stations.
Lunch at the Library - $11,700 from the California State Library to fund pop-up library programs at Murrieta Valley Unified School District’s 2024 summer meal site at Murrieta Elementary.
Zip Books - $26,745 from the California State Library
Conducted annual Summer Reading Challenge: a reading incentive program.
Reading program participants: 3,259
Books read by participants: 32,655
Take-Home kits distributed: 737
# of in-person library programs: 85
# of in-person library program participants: 3,644
Continued offering local museums and park passes for checkout.
Thirty-five (35) California State Park Vehicle-day Passes Four (4) Riverside County Park Vehicle-day Passes
Three (3) family passes to the Southern California Railway Museum Five (5) family passes to the Palm Spring Air Museum
Four (4) family passes for the Western Science Museum
Conducted the Foods for Fines program for Love Your Library Month, where Library patrons can donate a non-perishable, nutritious, pre-packaged food item to waive $1 of accrued fines up to $15. This reduces financial barriers for patrons while supporting local food banks.
Served as a ballot drop-off location and in-person voting center from October 7 to November 5, 2024, for the presidential election, ensuring accessible voting for the community and enhancing civic participation.
The Library provided essential workforce development resources through digital literacy training workshops, resume-building assistance, and workforce development e-resources and databases.
Conducted passport processing services and processed 393 passports in 2024, expanding public access to government services and providing an additional revenue source for the Library.
Conducted notary services at the Library and completed 39 appointments.
Youth Center and Senior Center:
Membership check-in at the Youth Center was over 19,700 for 2024. 301 members registered for the Youth Center.
The Jr. Staff program had eight volunteers earn community service hours for high school.
To date, the Youth Center offers eight different programs throughout the week. Programs attendance reaches capacity each month.
Membership check-in at the Senior Center was over 21,230 Senior fitness room check- in over 3,900.
The Senior Center served over 22,100 meals to seniors aged 60+ in 2024, with the option to eat their meal at the Center or take their meal to go.
The Senior Center had 13 different instructor-based classes throughout the week. Class registration was over 3,450 for the year.
Feeding America, the nation’s largest domestic hunger relief organization came to the Senior Center monthly to distribute non-perishable food boxes to Murrieta residents. The program expanded to include all residents who qualified for the low-income based program. In 2024, over 3,550 boxes were distributed to those in need.
AARP tax service assisted over 235 participants.
The Senior Center continued to expand free external resources to the seniors in Murrieta such as an Alzheimer's Support Group, Parkinson’s Support Group, HICAP (Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program), legal aide, health and wellness talks, and technical support.
Homeless Services:
The Riverside County Continuum of Care awarded the city $225,706.33 in Housing and Homelessness Incentive Program (HHIP) funding to subsidize the street outreach effort in Murrieta. The funding was fully expended in 2024, and the grant has been closed out. • Utilizing the $500,000 in SAMSHA funding awarded by Congress Member Calvert, Baker Tilly was competitively selected as a consultant to create and formalize the Regional Homeless Alliance consisting of Murrieta, Temecula, Lake Elsinore, Wildomar, and Menifee, and a Homeless Action Plan for the region was finalized. • 240 individuals were sheltered through the partnership for emergency shelter with Project Touch under ARPA.. Murrieta contracts with City Net to provide full-time case management to households in the shelter to reduce recidivism back into homelessness.
The Street Outreach Team, contracted with City Net, enrolled 220 unduplicated individuals into their program. Of those, 117 had positive exits from homelessness:
26 Family Reunifications
85 Emergency Shelter Placements
6 Placed in a higher level of care
The city entered into a reimbursement agreement with Riverside County’s Flood Control for $75,000 per year for three years. In 2024, 11 encampment cleanups on Flood Control property were coordinated by the city.
In November, the city was awarded $144,000 in Homeless Housing, Assistance and Prevention (HHAP) funding to administer a Rapid Rehousing Project for households living in the emergency shelter and for those working with the street outreach team. The project can support Murrieta, Wildomar, and Menifee.
In September, the County was awarded $12.6 Million to support an Encampment Resolution Project in the Murrieta Creek Trail. This project will support 100 unsheltered households in Murrieta, Wildomar, Menifee, Lake Elsinore, and unincorporated Temecula with getting into permanent housing placements.
Conservation Element Chapter 8:
Continued compliance with the Western Riverside Multiple Species Habitat Conservation Plan (MSHCP), and cooperation with the Regional Conservation Authority (RCA), the Joint Powers Agency created to administer the MSHCP.
Continued compliance with the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency for various projects.
Partnered with the Neighborhood Forest to distribute 661 California native trees to children in support of preserving biodiversity.
Completed the installation of the Library’s Pollinator Demonstration Garden with California native plants and installed educational interpretive signage.
Expanded the Seed Library program, promoting sustainable urban gardening and providing gardening tools available for circulation.
Established the Murrieta Kids Grow Garden Club at the Library to educate families on how to grow food at home and the benefits of California native plants.
Recreation and Open Space Element Chapter 9:
The Library hosted large-scale outdoor literacy and family engagement events, including:
Touch-A-Truck Storytime (over 2,000 attendees)
Haunted Library event (1,100 attendees)
The Alternative Recreation Program, a social program for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, held 12 events in 2024, with over 1,100 participants.
The Community Service Department had 31 recreation instructors that taught 1207 different contract classes and provided a variety of programming throughout the year to approximately 8,280 adults and children.
Alderwood Clubhouse opened for outside reservations with 8 reservations for 2024.
Community Center had a variety of 25 different reservations.
Shelter reservations through Murrieta were 277 for 2024.
Adult sports leagues had 18 teams sign up between softball and kickball, with an estimate of over 215 adult players.
The 2024 youth sports season saw 10,900 youth players spread across 900 teams in eight different leagues.
The City hired a consultant team and began work on the Parks Master Plan and Trails Master Plan Updates, to be completed in 2025.
Air Quality Element Chapter 10:
The City continued to implement the updated Climate Action Plan (CAP) to reduce greenhouse gas inventory GHG impacts by with various measures related to projects and City actions as the General Plan is being implemented through 2035.
As part of the CAP the City continues to implement a CAP Checklist for projects not exempt from CEQA in order to comply with necessary GHG reductions for new development.
Participation in regional efforts with Western Riverside Council of Governments (WRCOG) and the other jurisdictions in Southwest Riverside County in reviewing and commenting on the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Draft Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) and Sustainable Communities Strategy (SCS) for the SCAG region.
Noise Element Chapter 11:
Continued to review projects to comply with the requirement for land use compatibility for community noise environments and to locate future residential development away from noise contours, such as the I-15 and I-215.
Safety Element Chapter 12:
Continued implementation of the Safety Element to encourage open space when necessary to protect property and provide safety from fires, require development in the fire hazard areas to be fire safe designed and to be able to consider different forms of mitigation in fire areas.
The City is worked to finalize the most recent update to the Local Hazard Mitigation Plan in 2024, which will be aligned with the Safety Element in 2025.
The Library hosted a disaster and earthquake preparedness workshop with the Earthquake County Alliance and a Fire Safety workshop for teens in partnership with Murrieta Fire & Rescue.
Fire Department:
Achieved Renewed Accredited Agency Status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International.
Released the 2023 Murrieta Fire & Rescue Annual Report
Hosted the 76th & 77th Annual Murrieta Firefighters BBQ Re-launched the 911 For Kids education program (February 2024) Re-launching the Murrieta Citizens’ Fire Academy (May 2024) Responded to 11,628 calls for service (13,345 unit responses)* 7,877 medical emergencies
2,249 public assistance calls
528 traffic collisions
431 Fire Alarms
277 Lift Assists
154 Fires
82 Hazardous Materials calls
24 Weather related calls
6 Overpressure / Explosion calls
Participated in a total of 8 mutual aid events throughout the state of California.
Deployed 4 US&R CA-TF6 members to Hawaii wildfires Incident Deployed Tablet Command incident management software
Established a New Fire Investigation Unit within the fire department.
Completed 22,300 hours of Fire Department Training.
Completed 1,748 hours of Emergency Medical Services Training.
Completed 2,788 hours of Fire Academy training of new recruits.
Conducted Fire Captain Academy
Conducted Engineer Academy
Active Shooter training
Annual trench and confined rescue training
County-wide multi-agency big box commercial building training County-wide multi-agency high-rise training
Annual Wildland RT-130 training
Employee evaluation training with Human Resources
Annual Firefighter (Engine Company) skills evaluations
Annual rapid intervention crew (RIC) night drill
Reviewed 1,192 Fire Plans.
Issued 558 Operational Permits.
Inspected 690 construction projects.
Inspected 1,560 routine and business license inspections.
Conducted 158 AB-38 Inspections for real estate transactions in the VHFHSZ.
Conducted 16,786 Defensible Space Inspections.
Delivered 316 hours of public education.
Inspected all State Mandated Occupancies (368 apartment buildings, 9 hotels, 59 schools) Assisted in the opening of MHS Resort, with hundreds of hours on-site conducting inspections and assisting with planning.
Activated the Emergency Operations Center on two occasions.
Winter Storms 2023
Hurricane Hilary
Completed 2 Emergency Operations Center Activation Drills Active Shooter
Great ShakeOut
Installed new AM Radio Station Equipment for Emergency Notifications Developed Evacuation Planning for the entire city by implementing Genasys Connect.
Worked with Planning to begin the process of updating the safety element.
Police Department:
Launched the Live 911 platform
Implemented the Flock Cameras - Enhanced License Plate Reader Upgrade Added two additional Unmanned Aerial System pilots
Procured a DJI Matrice 350 RTK drone which is equipped with a high-powered telephoto camera, thermal imaging, night vision, laser range finding, and many more capabilities Initiated the procurement and design of a new Mobile Command Center from LDV Began the Blue Envelope Program
Promoted 20 individuals to new ranks
Hired 15 police officers, 12 dispatchers and 3 professional staff Approval and selection of two Detective III positions
Approval and selection of two Traffic Investigator positions The Police Department’s seven social media platforms reached over 175,000 followers Selected Matt Henry as the department’s 8th Chief of Police Lt. Brendan Carney completed the Executive Leadership Institute program at Claremont University's Drucker School of Management Added one Motor Officer, one Traffic Officer, and one DUI Enforcement officer to the Traffic Bureau The Property & Evidence Unit installed a bullet collection chamber and received training on testing firearm evidence Restarted the “Every 15 Minutes” program which was hosted at Murrieta Mesa High School Conducted an educational campaign for E-Bike safety, which included collaboration with the Murrieta Valley Unified School District to implement an E-Bike permitting program, and an update to the Murrieta Municipal Code Provided Inyo County and Sunnyvale PD with used K9 vehicles Certified numerous in-house training classes through Cal-POST Implemented the Active Shooter Training Team and conducted city-wide active shooter training Purchased and installed Fleet-3 in-car camera system
Purchased and issued Motorola APX Next portable radios
Added 55 lockers to the Men’s and Women’s locker rooms
HOUSING ELEMENT REPORTING:
Housing Element Chapter 13:
See the attached Housing Element APR for Building Permits Issued and Finaled and Residential Development Projects Entitled and Policy Action/Program implementation.
In working to permit low income affordable housing Staff completed the permit processing and issued permits for important projects in 2024:
The Oak View Ranch project with the developer (National CORE) on the City’s Housing Authority owned Adams Ave. property for a proposed 200 unit 100% affordable (very-low and low income) multi-family housing project including closing on the Disposition and Development Agreement documents. The project is nearly complete as of the end of 2024 and occupancies are expected in 2025 for Phase 1.
The Monamos Terrace Apartments on Los Alamos a 140 unit 100% affordable (low income) multi-family housing project. TCOs were granted in late 2024 and initial occupancies occurred through the end of the year, full occupancy is expected in 2025.
Although the Housing Element is one of the seven required elements in the General Plan, it is prepared separately from the other elements. Compliance with statutes that determine the preparation and content of the Housing Element are regulated by the State HCD. Updated forms to assist local jurisdictions in complying with the statutes that require reporting of General Plan housing information have been provided by HCD and are included in the attached Housing APR to be submitted to HCD.
V. MAJOR DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS:
Major development projects approved in the prior year include the various housing projects in the City, including the two affordable housing projects. The City is also moving forward on entitlements in 2024 for additional regional shopping, including the opening of the Costco permitted in the prior year and the development of a new Home Depot which was fully permitted and finaled in 2024. These projects play a major role in the City adding the necessary residential and commercial uses consistent with the goals of the General Plan.
Capital Improvement Projects Completed and Planned in 2024:
A new roof was installed on the Murrieta Library in September 2023.
Painted the exterior of the Murrieta Community Center.
Secured a $1.5 million grant, in addition to the 50% required match from the City, from the California State Library. Selected a design team for the planned expansion of the Murrieta Public Library. The preliminary design process was substantially completed in December 2023. Staff anticipates the construction will be bid on in late 2024.
Completed the design and engineering phase of the Sykes Ranch Park Windmill and Historic Marker project. Published bid opportunity in October 2023, and awarded the construction contract in December 2023.
Received a $250,000 grant toward the design and construction of the City’s third dog park at Glen Arbor Park. Project is currently in design.
Completed the purchase of tot lot equipment for nine different locations; and substantially completed civil engineering design for three of the locations where new playgrounds will be constructed where none exist today. Staff anticipates putting construction out to bid in early 2024.
Selected a design team for a planned replacement of the pool facility at Cal Oaks Sports Park Pool Renovations. The preliminary design process is expected to be substantially completed in early 2024.
Substantially completed civil and landscape design for the Town Square Park Amphitheater Parking Lot & Entryway Monument in December 2023. Staff anticipates that construction will start in summer 2024.
Completed the construction of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in September 2023, which is the fourth monument of a seven monument series.
Completed the construction of phase 1 of Pioneer Park, which included a train-themed tot lot, picnic shelter, picnic tables and benches, and a parking lot.
Conducted public input forums regarding pickleball court and signage needs.
Started the outreach for the Parks and Recreation Master Plan update process.
Started the outreach to draft the City’s first Trails Master Plan.
COMPLIANCE WITH STATE GUIDELINES AND CODE UPDATES:
Code Amendments:
Housing Element New 19-29 du/ac Zone
Completed the City of Murrieta Housing Element Update in June 2023 which, included a Code Amendment with a change to Development Code Chapter 16 in order to add a new multi-family zone of 19 to 29 dwelling units per acre, a density range not provided for in the previous Multi-Family Residential zones. The Code Amendment satisfied one of the early Housing Element Policy Actions planned for at adoption of the Element.
Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Residential Objective Design Standards Completed the City’s LEAP Grant funded Multi-Family Residential and Mixed-Use Residential Objective Design Standards (ODS) in September 2023 which included changes to the Development Code Chapter 16 in order to implement the objective standards and a ministerial development plan permitting process for certain qualifying projects. The adoption of the ODS also satisfied an early Housing Element Policy Action planned for at adoption of the Element.
Other Updates:
State Law Implementation for 2024
Created new Information Bulletins and Applications consistent with State provisions in advance of effective dates of new laws (January 1, 2024) for new land use permit types and entitlements. Documentation is available on City’s website. Additional cross-discipline training on intake and processing of applications into 2024 occurred to facilitate smooth transition for permitting and utilizing the City’s new Energov software for online submittals for permit processing.
Native American Tribe Consultation:
In November 2005 the Governor’s Office of Planning and Research issued a Supplement to the OPR General Plan Guidelines for Tribal Consultation. In 2005 Senate Bill 18 (S.B. 18) took effect, which requires that local jurisdictions processing an application for a General Plan Amendment or Specific Plan must notify tribes identified by the Native American Heritage Commission as having a possible interest in the proposed project. S.B. 18 requires government to government consultation when a tribe makes the request. Additionally, AB 52 passed in 2014 included an update to Appendix G (Initial Study Checklist) of the CEQA Guidelines to include questions related to impacts to tribal cultural resources and updated the notification process related to these types of projects.
The City has since complied with SB 18 and AB 52 when applicable by responding to requests from sovereign governments such as the Pechanga Band and Soboba Band for consultations on projects. The City consulted with the tribes, having regularly quarterly meetings as needed, to discuss the various projects and proposed entitlements that could potentially impact cultural resources in 2024.
CONCLUSION:
The intent of this report is not to provide a comprehensive inventory related to every goal and policy in the Plan, but to provide a summary and identify significant activities that occurred during the reporting year (2024), which will show how the City is implementing the current General Plan. This report meets the requirements outlined in the LUCI Guidelines for an Annual Progress Report. 12