City Planners Talk Traffic, Disaster Preparedness in Murrieta

The population of Murrieta is expected to reach 133,000 by 2035, and with several proposed business corridors, City planners hope to add 100,000 jobs into that mix.

The projections are part of the City's General Plan 2035, but with that will come added traffic woes as well as concerns over emergency vehicle access and disaster plan routes. Planning commissioners met Wednesday to discuss the future of traffic circulation during the second of three public hearings about the updated plan.

"I do consider circulation to be an important element," said Planning Commisson Chair Thomas Butler. "It is always at the top of the public's list of concerns.

"The City is 87 percent built out...There is only so much we can deflect," he said.

Collette Morris of RBF Consulting, a firm hired by the City to help prepare the General Plan update, said the Circulation Element is intended to show the overall  transportation plan to accommodate the movement of people and goods within and through the city.

Roadways of concern because of congestion were Murrieta Hot Springs Road, Clinton Keith Road, Jefferson Avenue, California Oaks Road, Winchester Road and the north and south roadways near Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.

Four scenarios were presented, two of which included extending Whitewood Road south of Murrieta Hot Springs Road. It would connect with Jackson Avenue and eventually with Ynez Road.

Residents who live near the proposed extension spoke out during the hearing. Forty-nine residents of Creekside Village signed a petition opposing the extension because it would be disruptive to their way of life.

"With that wide of a road being in that area, we are going to open a section of a road that is accessible from Highway 79 South all the way to Linell Road. That is going to bring a significant amount of traffic," said Ken Wood, a resident of Creekside Village.

Wood said because it would offer an alternative to freeway travel, it would attract motorists traveling north and south between Murrieta and Temecula.

"The traffic always looks for the path of least resistance," Wood said. "I would ask that we disregard the extension of Whitewood."

Sixty-one intersections were studied as part of the preparation for the Circulation Element. Goals include bringing intersections up to an adequate level of service. Some intersections, like those on busy thoroughfares and near freeway exits, will still likely fall below the City's goal of a C level of service, with A being the highest.

Also discussed during the hearing were the infrastructure, conservation and safety elements of the plan.

Newly-appointed Fire Chief Matt Shobert said a sixth fire station at Leon Road and Winchester would help serve the community adequately and in the event of natural disasters such as wildland fires. The sixth station is included as a goal in the plan. The department also needs to add a ladder tall enough to service buildings such Loma Linda University Medical Center-Murrieta.

Public safety was addressed, as well. The City's goal is to have one sworn officer per 1,000 residents. Currently, it falls below that. Impact fees that fund the police department are likely to fall below what are needed, according to consultants.

Flood control of Murrieta Creek is also a goal in the plan, as is ensuring the City is adequately prepared for seismic activity. A fault line runs along Washington Avenue.

City Engineer Pat Thomas said Murrieta is like much of Southern California in that it adheres to stricter building policies for earthquake safety.

A public comment period for the Environmental Impact Report related to the plan ends Thursday at 5 p.m. The final public hearing before the Planning Commission is scheduled for April 6. Then the Commission will likely make its final recommendations to City Council at an April 27 meeting.

Community Development Director Mary Lanier said staff will review comments from the public and the Planning Commission, and bring any changes back for review.

To see the City's General Plan 2035, click here. Copies can also be picked up at City Hall at One Town Square.