Planning Commission Meeting 7/21/2026

The City of Hemet Planning Commission held a meeting on July 21, 2026, where a significant portion of the discussion focused on a potential land acquisition to expand Simpson Park by nearly doubling its size through the purchase of the Mesa Grande property. The property, consisting of about 16 parcels totaling over 400 acres, is currently privately owned and zoned for very low-density residential development. The city is exploring grant opportunities, including two state park grants potentially worth up to $22 million combined, to fund the acquisition and development of the land for outdoor recreational use. The property owner is reportedly willing to sell at a deeply discounted price around $8 million, down from an appraisal of over $13 million. Commissioners and public speakers expressed strong support for the conservation effort, highlighting benefits such as wildlife corridor preservation, enhanced recreational opportunities, and community quality of life improvements. However, concerns were raised about the city's current capacity to maintain the expanded park and the financial risks if grant funding does not materialize. The commission also approved a tentative parcel map to split Salt Creek Channel and Brewbaker Park parcels to facilitate transferring maintenance responsibility to Riverside County Flood Control. Additionally, the city attorney reported on a pending state bill (SB 887) that would increase environmental review requirements for data center projects. Future agenda items include fire code updates, safety plans, and housing-related developments.