Negative Impacts on Property Value and Property Use
The City cannot guarantee that annexation will increase property values. In fact, increased regulation, higher fees, stricter development standards, and additional compliance requirements may reduce the desirability and usefulness of affected properties. Property owners should not be forced to accept uncertainty regarding the future value and use of their land for the benefit of speculative future development.
Political and Legal Consequences
Annexation fundamentally changes who makes decisions affecting residents and property owners.
Landowners who are currently represented through County government will become subject to City Council decisions, municipal ordinances, planning regulations, and future policy changes over which they currently have no vote or influence. This is a substantial political and legal change that should not be minimized.
Unforeseen Future Consequences
Once annexed, there is no practical way to undo the decision if adverse impacts occur. Future City Councils may increase fees, adopt more restrictive regulations, alter zoning designations, impose new development requirements, or expand municipal obligations. Residents are being asked to accept unknown long-term risks without adequate assurances or protections.
Conclusion
The City has not provided sufficient evidence that the benefits of annexation outweigh the risks and burdens imposed on affected property owners. The proposal creates substantial uncertainty regarding taxes, fees, regulations, property rights, infrastructure demands, governance, and future land use restrictions.
For these reasons, I strongly urge the Planning Commission to reject the proposed annexation or, at a minimum, postpone action until a comprehensive analysis of the financial, regulatory, legal, and property-rights impacts has been provided to affected residents and property owners.
Sincerely,
Sean Harrison
Resolution No. 4153
STATE OF CALIFORNIA) RESOLUTION NO. 4153
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE)
CITY OF SAN JACINTO)
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
SAN JACINTO, CALIFORNIA, TO AUTHORIZE THE
RIVERSIDE LOCAL AGENCY FORMATION COMMISSION
TO TAKE THE PROCEEDINGS FOR THE ANNEXATION
OF 146.32 ACRES KNOWN AS ANNEXATION “B”
WHEREAS, the City of San Jacinto (“City”) received an application (Annexation “A”, P22-084) proposing annexation of approximately 43.68 acres located south of Ramona Expressway; and
WHEREAS, the City received a Tentative Tract Map application to subdivide a portion of the project site into 151 single-family residential lots; and WHEREAS, the City Council subsequently adopted Resolution No. 3927 initiating Annexation “B”, encompassing approximately 146.32 acres generally located east of San Jacinto Avenue, south of Bergin Street, north of Artesia Street, and west of Vernon Avenue, immediately adjacent to Annexation “A”; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Jacinto desires to initiate a proposal pursuant to the Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, commencing with Section 56000 of the California Government Code, for the annexation of 146 acres generally located east of San Jacinto Avenue, south of Bergin Street, north of Artesia Street, and west of Vernon Avenue; and
WHEREAS, the General Plan designates the Annexation Areas for Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Mixed Use, Public/Institutional, and Commercial uses, each of which corresponds to an implementing zoning district identified in the Development Code; and
WHEREAS, after reviewing parcel size, configuration, roadway access, surrounding uses, and the purpose statements of each zone, the City Council finds that the project is consistent with the General Plan and supports orderly, compatible future development should annexation occur; and
WHEREAS, the City Council has reviewed the staff report, Findings of Fact, proposed Zoning Map amendments, and supporting documentation and desires to recommend the City Council initiate an annexation application with the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO); and
WHEREAS, notice of the public hearing was provided in accordance with Government Code Section 65090, including a mailed notice to property owners within 300 feet of the project area and publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and the matter was duly noticed for consideration by the Planning Commission on September 12, Resolution No. 4153
2026; and
WHEREAS, on September 22, 2026, the project was fully considered by the Planning Commission; and
WHEREAS, notice of the public hearing was provided in accordance with Government Code Section 65090, including a mailed notice to property owners within 300 feet of the project area and publication in a newspaper of general circulation, and the matter was duly noticed for consideration by the City Council on October 10, 2026; and WHEREAS, on October 20, 2026, this resolution was fully considered by the City Council; and
WHEREAS, all other legal prerequisites to the adoption of this Resolution have occurred.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, determined, and ordered by the City Council of the City of San Jacinto, California, as follows:
SECTION 1. Based on the record before the City Council, including all written and oral evidence presented to the City Council, the administrative record of the written and oral evidence submitted to the Planning Commission, and the findings set forth in the resolution the Council Authorizes the Annexation of 146.32 acres.
SECTION 2. Based upon the whole of the record before it, the City Council finds that pursuant to the California Code of Regulations the project is exempt from CEQA as the project is consistent with the General Plan policies for which an EIR was certified, CEQA Guidelines Section 15183.
The City's General Plan and associated environmental impact report previously evaluated the potential environmental effects associated with the City's planned growth, land use patterns, development capacity, infrastructure, public services, transportation, and other environmental considerations. The proposed annexation would place the affected properties within the City's jurisdiction and implement the land use framework established by the City's General Plan and pre-zoning.
Based on the City's review, Annexation B is consistent with the General Plan for which an environmental impact report was previously certified. Therefore, the project qualifies for the exemption provided under Section 15183 of the CEQA Guidelines, which applies to projects that are consistent with a general plan for which an environmental impact report has previously been certified. Section 15183 allows additional environmental review to be limited to potentially significant effects that are peculiar to the project or site, or other effects not adequately addressed in the prior environmental document. The project does not include any development or construction and therefore no additional environmental effects have been identified.
Resolution No. 4153
SECTION 3. Based upon the entire record, including all written and oral evidence presented, and the findings set forth in the staff report and incorporated herein by reference, the City Council finds that:
A. The Project is consistent with the General Plan. Specifically, the project meets the following Goals and/or Policies.
Policy LU 2-6 Annexation: Continue to annex land within the City’s Sphere of Influence to promote compatibility between new and existing uses.
Annexation B area is located within the City’s Sphere of Influence. Annexation would bring the affected properties within the City’s jurisdiction and allow future land use decisions to be evaluated under the City’s General Plan, zoning regulations, and development standards, thereby supporting the policy’s objective of promoting compatibility between new and existing uses.
Goal LU-1: A community with a land use plan that accommodates a mix of uses to meet current and future needs.
The proposed annexation is consistent with General Plan Goal LU-1, which seeks to establish “a community with a land use plan that accommodates a mix of uses to meet current and future needs.” The annexation area includes a range of existing uses and is designated for various land uses under the City’s General Plan, including Low Density Residential, Medium Density Residential, Mixed Use, Public/Institutional, and Commercial. Annexation would bring the area within the City’s jurisdiction and allow future land use decisions to be evaluated within the City’s established planning framework to help accommodate the community’s current and future needs.
B. The Project will not be detrimental to the public interest, health, safety, convenience, or welfare of the City.
The annexation would allow the City to provide local governmental services and ensure that the development occurs in accordance with the City’s planning, infrastructure, and public service requirements. Public services, including fire protection, law enforcement, water, and other essential services, would continue to be provided by the responsible agencies. These provisions would ensure that the Project is developed in a manner that protects public health, safety, and welfare.
SECTION 4. The documents and materials that constitute the record of proceedings upon which this Resolution is based are located at the City of San Jacinto, 595 South San Jacinto Avenue, San Jacinto, California 92583. The custodian of the record is the City Clerk. This information is provided pursuant to Public Resources Code Section 21081.6.
Resolution No. 4153
SECTION 5. Administrative Updates to General Plan Exhibits and Official City Maps. Upon the effective date of the annexation, the City Manager, or designee, is hereby authorized and directed to administratively update the maps, figures, exhibits, and other graphical representations contained within the City of San Jacinto General Plan 2040, including its individual elements, as necessary to accurately reflect the revised municipal boundaries resulting from the annexation.
Such administrative updates shall be limited to conforming the depicted municipal boundaries to the legally established boundaries of the City and shall not modify any adopted General Plan land use designations, policies, goals, objectives, development standards, or other substantive provisions of the General Plan.
The City Manager, or designee, is further authorized to make corresponding administrative updates to the City's official maps, geographic information systems, planning documents, and other applicable records to accurately reflect the completed annexation.
Any proposed modification that would constitute a substantive amendment to the General Plan shall be processed separately in accordance with applicable provisions of state law.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED at a regular meeting of the City Council of the City of San Jacinto on the 20th day of October 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
CITY OF SAN JACINTO:
_______________________
Crystal Ruiz, Mayor
ATTEST:
_________________________________
Julia Espinoza, City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
BEST BEST & KRIEGER LLP
_________________________________
Craig Hayes, City Attorney
Resolution No. 4153
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss
CITY OF SAN JACINTO )
CERTIFICATION
I, Julia Espinoza, duly appointed City Clerk of the City of San Jacinto, do hereby certify that the foregoing Resolution No. 4153 was duly passed, approved, and adopted at a Regular Meeting of the City Council of the City of San Jacinto on the 20th day of October, 2026, by the following vote:
AYES:
NAYS:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
WITNESS MY HAND AND OFFICIAL SEAL this 20th day of October, 2026. _________________________
Julia Espinoza, City Clerk
City of San Jacinto