Murrieta adopts hillside development ordinance with an end-of-2028 sunset; council meetings move to 5 p.m. in 2027

The Murrieta City Council on Oct. 6 adopted Ordinance No. 638-26, its rewrite of the city's hillside development standards, as part of a consent calendar approved 5-0.

Council Member Lisa DeForest made the motion and Council Member Cindy Warren seconded it, according to the meeting minutes.

The council introduced the ordinance Sept. 15 on a 3-1 vote, with Council Member Lori Stone opposed and DeForest absent, minutes of that meeting show. Stone and DeForest both voted for the Oct. 6 consent calendar.

A built-in end date

Section 12 of the adopted ordinance says Sections 4 through 11 expire Dec. 31, 2028. At that point the amended code sections would return to their earlier wording unless the city revises them first.

The ordinance takes effect 31 days after adoption, according to its text. Among other changes, it adds a Hillside Overlay Map to the development code.

Kangaroo rat fees

On a 4-1 vote, the council introduced Ordinance No. 639-26, which would raise development fees that support the regional Stephens' kangaroo rat habitat conservation plan. Stone cast the no vote.

DeForest moved the item and Mayor Jon Levell seconded it, the minutes say.

A staff report lists the increases: to $900 from $500 per gross acre for standard development, to $500 from $100 per gross acre for agricultural development, and to $250 from $100 for a single-family home on an individual parcel.

The fee has not changed since 1996, the report says. A 2026 study commissioned by the Riverside County Habitat Conservation Agency estimated the plan needs about $1.59 million a year in fee revenue. The new rates would start Jan. 1, 2027, the report says.

No one from the public testified at the hearing.

New meeting times

Beginning in January 2027, regular council meetings will start at 5 p.m. under a 5-0 decision. Closed sessions will move ahead of the regular meeting and start at 3:30 p.m. at the earliest, with leftover closed session items handled afterward.

Since January 2026, regular meetings have started at 4 p.m., according to a staff report from City Clerk Cristal McDonald. DeForest had asked for the review.

Other actions

• The council voted 5-0 to continue to Nov. 17 a property owner's appeal of the city's refusal to allow an additional driveway apron at the home. Staff was told to report back on the city's past standards for driveway permits and on liability coverage.
• Following closed session, City Attorney Tiffany Israel said the council had authorized a $750,000 agreement to acquire property. The closed session agenda listed the negotiating party as Wyndham Resort Dev Corp. The minutes say Stone recused herself from that item because she owns property within 1,000 feet of the site.
• City Manager Justin Clifton gave notice that the Nov. 3 regular meeting was canceled.