City Announces Plan to Pave Controversial Stretch of Holland Road -- but it's News to One Councilman and Property Owner

Menifee city staff members announced in a press release Tuesday night that they have "found a way to improve and pave" a dirt sec...


Menifee city staff members announced in a press release Tuesday night that they have "found a way to improve and pave" a dirt section of Holland Road that has become a source of great frustration among residents recently.

This announcement, however, was not shared with at least one city council member -- Tom Fuhrman, who is directly involved in the Holland Road issue.

After Tuesday night's city council meeting -- in which the Holland Road issue was not mentioned -- Fuhrman said he had not been informed of the city's announcement. Fuhrman -- one of four residents who own portions of that stretch of road -- indicated the situation is not yet resolved.

"I have been told by the city that the property owners and stakeholders will receive a letter in the next two weeks, stating the issues that have to be addressed and what additional property has to be purchased," Fuhrman said.

But Rob Johnson, senior manager of community improvement and outreach for the city, said a deal was reached that did not require purchase of that land from the property owners.

"The city met with the city of Lake Elsinore and the developer," Johnson said, referring to Pardee Homes, which built the Canyon Hills housing project and paved the west end of Holland Road leading toward the new school across the Lake Elsinore border. "We got a deal to get the road paved. It's simple."

Asked for details on how the deal was reached without involving the property owners, Johnson deferred to Joe Fletcher, the city attorney. Fletcher, who left City Hall right after the council meeting Tuesday night, could not be reached for comment. Additional explanation of the city's plan is expected Wednesday.

Meanwhile, city officials published the press release on the City of Menifee Facebook page and residents were already commenting on the issue Tuesday night.

For years, the stretch of Holland Road west of Murrieta Road has been used as a public thoroughfare by motorists -- first on a paved stretch beginning at Murrieta Road, then on a 1,200-foot stretch of narrow, hilly dirt road that leads west toward Lake Elsinore.

The road has become much more traveled this fall, however, because of its path leading Menifee students to the new Herk Bouris Elementary School. Since discussions over the need for widening and paving the road have escalated, Fuhrman said he and the other land owners have sought negotiations to sell the right of way to the city.

Fuhrman said he met with about 40 concerned residents of the affected area Monday night. Many expressed concern that even though stop signs had been placed at crossroads along the dirt stretch of road, motorists had actually made the problem worse by jogging over to a parallel road at Corson Street and speeding through that stretch, which has no stop signs.

Fuhrman said he is concerned about any plan to pave the road without widening it and leveling it, which he says would need permission of the property owners.

Another concern expressed at the community meeting was the need for a stop sign on Murrieta Road where it intersects with the western portion of Holland Road. There is a stop sign on Murrieta a few hundred feet to the north, where it intersects with an eastern portion of Holland Road, which jogs at that point. The lack of a stop sign at the other intersection has resulted in a massive traffic backup on Holland of motorists waiting to turn onto Murrieta Road.


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Menifee City Council 8485969018809894252

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  1. It's about time!!!!!

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  2. Just like any other government entity do whatever they wish with no concern for the public they are involving. All it is going to do is speed the traffic up even more and someone is goping to be killed sooner or later without any enforcement of the speed laws and the stop signs.

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  3. What section of Holland is getting paved? The crappy section out towards Canyon Lake?

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  4. Is it just me or does it seem like there is a conflict of interest that Fuhrman is both a land owner involved in the negotiations, while also being a member of the city council? How do I respond to a teenagers question as to why if they knew a school was going to be built, they didn't address the issue years ago. How can we take down an entire mountain to create hundreds of new lots, yet can't seem to pave one stupid road we have know would been an issue years ago?

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  5. He owned the land way before the controversy,the conflict found him. As I understand he's not been involved with the City decisions since there is a conflict of interest. Maybe that is why he's just finding out about the City decision...And I agree, both Cities should have had the property right of way purchased and the developer continue paving the 1200 feet. Seems stupid now seeing a paved road to a school end at a dirt road...what were they thinking....Remember Clinton Keith ending at the high school...what a mess before continuing the road and rebuilding the over pass.

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    Replies
    1. Everyone screams about property rights but the city and school district get blamed because they didn't pave a road that is private property? Doesn't that sound strange to anyone? To say that Furman hasn't been involved in city decisions is a joke. he knew all this was going on but he thinks he's going to get a good payday on this. Yes the city should have acted a long time ago but at least they are finding a way to make sure that it is a safer drive in spite of Mr. Furman and his self interest.

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    2. The school district gets blamed because they put a school in a place knowing the main road to access it, is dangerous!

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    3. To Anonymous September 19, 2012 10:47 AM
      Have you ever been invloved in City politics or any politics involving conflict of interest? Especially with all the watch dogs hanging on every decision... Apparently not after reading your comment. You may know but you can't be involved...And I'm sure when he purchased his property he didn't know he was going to become a City Councilman.

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  6. Why do all the improvements in Menifee have to occur on the ghetto side of town? I'd rather see a greater Sheriff's presence- hell any presence- in the areas off Briggs.

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  7. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. Half the people want to complain to get things done, half the people want to complain that too much is being done. Make up your minds so the city can do their job.

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    Replies
    1. Let's hope they ignore all the whiners and get the job anyway.

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  8. Tom Fuhrman has every right to be concerned about his property. I'm not sure why our City Attorney wouldn't have contacted Mr. Fuhrman and the property owners, as the article states, obviously he or they didn't! Why on earth wouldn't Pardee build a road to the west of the school over to Murrieta? They know where the houses and roads will be built in the new housing going up. Surely they're not that dunce to know they built a road right up to a dirt road, and stop! If I were Mr. Fuhrman I would NOT allow anyone on that private road, its going to be a future law suit! I can't imagine these residents liking all this traffic!!!

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  9. Anon 9/19 at 3:54 pm .. Ghetto ? It is called RURAL. Some folks like a lifestyle that doesn't include multi-laned roads with the exhaust and noise that they bring. Remember, before 'Menifee' became a city it was a rural town with a laid-back lifestyle.

    ReplyDelete

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