Commission to Consider Quail Valley Market Plan

Public hearings have been scheduled for the Jan. 13 Menifee Planning Commission to consider plans for two markets, including applications for conditional use permits to sell beer and wine for off-site consumption.

One public hearing is related to a proposal to approve plot plans for the Quail Valley Market, which would convert an existing 1,655-square-foot commercial building into a market selling produce and dry goods. A second proposal includes the application for the liquor sales permit. The site is located at 23980 Newport Drive, across the street from the Quail Valley Fire Station (map at left).

The market would also be just up the street from the Circle K market, currently the only market in that hillside community of Menifee.

According to documents included in the meeting agenda, there would be two to three employees working 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily at the Quail Valley Market. Renovation plans include a 20x20 foot patio cover and deck and other exterior changes to the building.

In addition, a Farmer's Market would be permitted on the site one Saturday per month from 8 a.m. to noon in the store parking lot.

The other public hearing concerns an application for the sale of beer and wine at an Arco AM/PM mini-market planned for a parcel at 27250 Highway 74, at the corner of Trumble Road. The service station and market would be next to a Jack in the Box restaurant, which has been constructed but has never opened because of various delays.

Staff's proposal to the Planning Commission for Wednesday's meeting includes a recommendation to approve the permit for beer and wine sales but to deny plot plan elements regarding signage.

According to city documents, preliminary plans for the AM/PM were originally approved in 2011, along with a CUP for the beer and wine sales. Construction began at the site but has not been completed, with the CUP expiring in the meantime. Plans for the signage were denied by the Planning Commission in 2013 because of concerns about height, size and aesthetics of the signs.

Since then, the property has changed ownership and a new plan for signage has been submitted. However, city staff recommends denial of a pylon sign designed to be 25 feet high and eight to nine feet wide.

The Planning Commission meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 29714 Haun Road.

Little construction has been done on the service station area and mini-market planned for the corner of Highway 74 and Trumble Road. Menifee 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon