Sun City residents urge Menifee to block high-density plan for closed golf course

Residents who live around the closed Sun City golf course told the Menifee City Council they oppose plans by Ambient Communities to redevelop the property into high-density housing.

Mark Wade, who said he lives on Portsmouth Drive, told council members that irrigation problems, dead palm fronds and rats have left the site “a fire hazard” and quoted a developer representative as saying, “Let the palm trees fall.” Wade said neighbors fear years of construction and that the developer has not been fined for code violations.

Tony Riverdito, who identified himself as a Cherry Hills resident, said Ambient’s concept calls for more than a thousand homes and would “block our view” and bring two-story structures, pedestrian paths adjacent to backyards and traffic and infrastructure strain for a 55-plus community. He cited homeowners’ covenants requiring 70% approval from course-facing owners before such a change and urged the council to “see this through our eyes.”

Pamela Erb, president of the Cherry Hills West homeowners association, warned that dead palm fronds are “ladder fuels” that increase wildfire risk and described bug infestations she said followed vegetation work. She asked the city to require a full environmental impact report before any zoning or plan changes proceed.

Council members acknowledged the residents’ concerns and advised that, as of their remarks, Ambient had not submitted formal land-use applications to the city. Councilmember Temple said the developer told staff they expect to submit applications within 60 days but that “as of today, nothing’s been submitted, nothing’s been approved.”

What’s next: Residents said they are organizing to oppose rezoning and plan to press the council if and when an application is filed. The council did not take any zoning action at the meeting; no formal development applications were approved.