Commission finds Winchester Business Park amendments consistent with French Valley airport compatibility plan

The Riverside County Airport Land Use Commission unanimously approved a staff recommendation finding consistency for Winchester Business Park’s proposed amendments to the AirPark specific plan and associated development on 23.1 acres near French Valley Airport.

Staff planner Jackie Vega explained the proposal would construct 11 buildings totaling 306,075 square feet and amend the specific plan to combine portions of planning Areas 8 and 12 and change the land-use designation for APN 963030012 to light industrial while leaving the adjacent parcel APN 963030020 as commercial office. Vega said staff used building-code and parking-code intensity calculations, reviewed prior cases for the site and concluded the project met the compatibility criteria with conditions. She noted the site lies within the 60–65 CNEL aircraft noise contour and recommended noise-attenuation measures to ensure interior noise does not exceed 45 CNEL.

Vega also described ALUC open-area requirements for projects of 10 acres or larger in compatibility zone D and said the project provides the required minimum of 1.04 acres of qualifying open area within drive aisles and parking areas. The FAA’s earlier determination of no hazard to air navigation (issued 07/20/2023 under the original case ZAP1128FV23) had been incorporated into ALUC conditions, Vega said.

With no members of the public requesting to speak other than an applicant representative present to answer questions, the commission closed the public hearing, moved and seconded staff’s recommendation and voted to find the general plan amendment, specific-plan amendment, change of zone and plot plan consistent subject to staff conditions.

The action was a consistency finding (ALUC) with conditions; staff noted required conditions will be included in the final recommendation and any additional FAA requirements will be added if necessary.