C I T Y O F T E M E C U L A G E N E R A L P L A N
I- 1
INTRODUCTION
TO THE GENERAL PLAN
emecula combines urban, suburban, and rural lifestyles
within a unique natural setting. Incorporated on December
1, 1989 as a General Law City, Temecula has become one of
the fastest growing cities in the State of California, as well as
the Nation. Located in the southwestern corner of Riverside
County, the City provides a peaceful setting embracing the rich
history of the area and encompassing those values into the growth
of the community. More than any single idea within the Temecula
General Plan is the commitment to the preservation and
enhancement of a high quality of living in the Temecula Valley.
Physical identity and cohesion, adequate services and facilities, high
quality development, and a wide range of community activities all
underlie this ideal. Temecula was planned to offer the best
amenities of a city, while preserving the topography of the
surrounding area. These complementary features have resulted in
both a high quality of life and prosperity for the residents and
businesses within the community. Recent growth pressures within
the City and in surrounding jurisdictions have established a need
for Temecula to update long range plans for development.
WHAT IS THE GENERAL PLAN
Temecula 􀂪 s General Plan identifies a community vision
for the future and establishes a framework to guide future
decisions regarding development, resource management,
public safety, public services, and the overall quality of
the community. During creation of the General Plan, the
community worked together to craft and define this
vision through text and illustrations. The General Plan
reflects the planning desires and values of Temecula
residents, the business community, and public officials.
The Temecula General Plan describes how citizens will
work to retain the natural and aesthetic qualities that
make their City unique, and at the same time, respond to
the dynamics of regional growth and meet changing
community needs. The General Plan serves as a policy
guide, balancing these inter- related factors to Temecula 􀂪 s
community vision.
T
C I T Y O F T E M E C U L A G E N E R A L P L A N
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TEMECULA
PLANNING AREA
Importantly, this General Plan addresses not just lands within the
City 􀂪 s corporate limits, but also unincorporated Riverside County
properties surrounding Temecula, both within and beyond the
City 􀂪 s Sphere of Influence. Throughout the General Plan, this
combined area is referred to as the 􀂧 Planning Area, 􀂨 illustrated in
Figure I- 1. While properties beyond the City limits are under the
jurisdiction of Riverside County agencies, they bear a critical
relationship to Temecula 􀂪 s planning activities, and from a visual
standpoint, form a significant backdrop to the community. One
day, they may become part of the City, and planning for service
extensions, integrated infrastructure, and high design quality is
timely and prudent.
Temecula 􀂪 s Planning Area totals approximately
62 square miles and is shown in Figure I- 2. The
present City boundary encompasses
approximately 28 square miles. The 24 square
mile Sphere of Influence, established by the
County's Local Agency Formation Commission
( LAFCO), includes unincorporated areas that will
most likely be annexed in the future, on a project
by project basis, by the City of Temecula. The
Planning Area provides a reasonable measure of
the City's present region of interest.
Figure I- 1
Regional Location
Overlooking a City in Evolution:
The Temecula Planning Area is
characterized by agricultural
lands and vineyards that flow
into homes and neighborhoods.
The City also includes clean
industrial and business centers, as
seen in the foreground.
Rainbow Canyon Rd
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Pechanga
Entertainment
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City of Murrieta
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Whitewood Rd
Alta Murrie ta Dr
Washington Ave
Cal le De Amor
Specili Rd
Del
Rey Rd
PaubaR d
Rancho California Rd R a ncho Vista Rd
Meadows Pky
B axter Rd
Briggs Rd
Sky Canyon Dr
Pourroy Rd
Leon Rd
B orel Rd
Pat Rd
Bonaire Wy
Sparta Ln
Mc Colery Rd
Wolf Valley Rd
Allen Rd
Maddalena Rd
Cherry St
Judith St
Hunter Rd
Douglass Ave
Pourroy Rd
Jackson Ave
Thompson Rd
Menifee Rd
Jefferson Ave
Madison Ave
NicolasRd
Benton Rd
Butterfield Stage Rd
Winchester Rd
Lin da
RoseaRd
Vista Del
GuavaSt
Keller Rd
Bu ck Rd
D e Port ola Rd
Auld R d
Ynez Rd
Murrieta Hot Springs Rd
Calle Contento
Madera De Playa Dr
Pauba Rd
Calle
Contento
Rancho C alifornia Rd
Vino Wy
Pourroy Rd
Briggs Rd
Elliot Rd
Leon Rd
Lee Ln
Liberty Rd
YnezRd
Diaz Rd
La Serena Wy
Margarita Rd
Margarita Rd
Ynez Rd
Margarita Rd
DeerHollow Wy
Butterfield
Stage Rd
Pechanga Parkway
Jean Nicholas Rd
Promontory Pky
Rd
Monte
Anza Rd
Meadows Pky
Via Norte
Via Barranca
Rancho California Rd
Los Alamos
Rd
Via Santa Rosa
Via Vaquero Rd
Avenida Del Oro
Willows Ave
Nico la s Rd
Via Norte
Winchester Rd
Rancho California Rd
Santiago Rd
De Portola Rd
Vallejo Ave
Redhawk Pky
Vail Ranch Pky
Anza Rd
Murrieta Hot SpringsRd
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Source: Temecula and Riverside County GIS, 2001
CITY OF TEMECULA GENERAL PLAN
Temecula City Boundary
Planning Area
Sphere of Influence Boundary
Figure I- 2
Planning Area Map
Legend
μ Feet
Miles
0 5,000 10,000
0 1 2
C I T Y O F T E M E C U L A G E N E R A L P L A N
I- 4
TEMECULA 􀂷 S EVOLUTION
TEMECULA 􀂷 S
BEGINNING 􀂲
WHERE THE SUN
BREAKS THROUGH
THE MIST
Little is known of Temecula 􀂪 s first inhabitants, the Luiseño Indians.
These Native American people were present in the Temecula area in
the 1700s when the first Spanish padres visited. It is believed that
these hunter- gatherers first arrived and established settlements
around 900 A. D. It is also known that from these people, Temecula
was given its name, which comes from the Luiseño Indian word,
Temecunga, literally translated as Place of the Sun. The Spanish
interpreted and spelled the word as Temecula. Over the years, the
meaning of " Temecula" has been translated using several
interpretations, including the most popular: Where the Sun Breaks
Through the Mist. Temecula is the only city in California to still
retain an original Indian name.
TEMECULA-FROM
MEXICAN
RANCH TO TOWN
OF THEWEST
In the early 1800s, with California under Spanish then Mexican
control, much of what we geographically know as Southern
California was divided into ranches or Ranchos. In 1835, the
Spanish Governor Figueroa first granted Rancho Temecula to Jose
Antonio Estudillo. With the transition of California from a
Spanish colony to a newly independent Mexican state, the 26,000-
acre Rancho Temecula was granted to a Mexican army officer, Felix
Valdex, in the 1840s. In 1846, the Rancho was sold to Louis Vignes,
one of California 􀂪 s first commercial winemakers.
The transition from Rancho to town of the Old West came with
incorporation of California as a U. S. state and the resulting western
expansion by stagecoach and later, by railroad. This expansion
began in the 1850s, when the first American settlers arrived in
Temecula, and accelerated between 1858 and 1861 with the
operation of the Butterfield Overland Stage. With the opening of
the California Southern Railroad Line in 1882, Temecula became
established as a historical western town. In 1905, the railroad
brought Walter Vail to the Temecula Valley to begin ranching
operations on the 87,000- acre Vail Ranch.
TEMECULA-THE
CITY OF
TODAY
In 1964, Kaiser Aluminum and Chemical purchased Vail Ranch,
beginning Temecula's transition from avocado orchards, vineyards,
and other agricultural uses, to an urbanized community by
preparing the Rancho California Development Plan. The overall
land use pattern and circulation system of Temecula today has
largely been guided by this plan. In 1989, Temecula incorporated as
a General Law City. The City of today encompasses both Old Town
Temecula and a portion of the planned community of Rancho
California. Since incorporation, the City has improved upon the
good parts of this original blueprint to create a desirable
C I T Y O F T E M E C U L A G E N E R A L P L A N
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community with exceptional public safety, community services,
recreational amenities, and a robust commerce.
TEMECULA 􀂷 S VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Building upon the City 􀂪 s history, and upon the vision statement
from the City 􀂪 s first General Plan, the Vision for the Future provides a
foundation for the General Plan, and a basis for goals, policies, and
programs. The vision is an expression of what the community
wants to maintain or become:
Temecula supports a family- focused lifestyle enjoyed by its
residents, while promoting a strong local business community and
agricultural, technological, and manufacturing industries. The
community continues to be a regional destination for those seeking the
desirable atmosphere established by wineries and historic Old Town. A
strong business community, quality housing stock, scenic open
space, and cultural amenities make Temecula a desirable place
for higher education facilities to locate. Cleanliness, positive
community identity, and low crime rate make residents feel safe
in their neighborhoods, commercial districts, and schools.
The local circulation system meets the needs of Temecula
residents and businesses while calming traffic in residential
neighborhoods and near schools. Within this circulation system,
pedestrians and cyclists are able to travel safely and quickly
throughout the community. Appropriate pedestrian- oriented commercial
and office uses are concentrated within village centers, and mixed use
commercial and residential developments are encouraged.
Commercial, office, and light industrial/ manufacturing uses locate and
thrive in Temecula, providing fiscal stability to the City and a revenue
source to finance community improvements and open space resources,
including cultural art centers, community centers, and parks. Financial
stability provides a high quality of public and private services and activities
meeting the needs of a wide array of interests, ages, and lifestyles. These
beneficial businesses also operate in harmony with surrounding residential
neighborhoods. Diverse housing options are available to meet the needs of
all segments of the community, while protecting the character and value of
single- family neighborhoods.
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Other strengths within the
community include the high quality
local public education system. High
quality education is offered and
children are provided strong role
models and training for a successful
future. Properties are well
maintained so that Temecula
remains an attractive and enjoyable
place to live, work, and play.
PURPOSE OF THE GENERAL PLAN
Under California law, every city must adopt a comprehensive, long-term
General Plan to guide physical development within the
incorporated area, as well as to plan for land beyond the municipal
boundaries that bear a relationship to the city 􀂪 s planning activities.
In essence, a city 􀂪 s General Plan serves as the blueprint for future
growth and development. The plan must contain policies and
programs to provide decision makers with a solid basis for future
decisions related to land use and development.
Regional growth and transportation plans prepared by the Southern
California Association of Governments ( SCAG) and implemented
through the Western Riverside County Council of Governments
( WRCOG) also guide long range development within the greater
Temecula region. The goals and policies of this General Plan are
supportive of regional objectives established by the Regional
Comprehensive Plan, Regional Transportation Plan, and SCAG 􀂪 s
Growth Vision Compass. Temecula 􀂪 s General Plan represents a
significant opportunity to implement these regional plans and
programs through local actions that benefit the community, sub-region,
and region in the future.
State law further indicates that the General Plan is the primary
document a jurisdiction must use to regulate land use.
Consequently, the Development Code, specific plans, and
individual public and private development proposals must be
consistent with General Plan goals, policies, and standards.
To ensure that every city and county prepares General Plans that are
comprehensive and long- term in perspective, State statutes establish
requirements for the minimum contents of a General Plan.
( Sections 65350 through 65590 of the Government Code.) By law, a
General Plan must contain the following seven 􀂧 elements 􀂨 , which
must be internally consistent:
C I T Y O F T E M E C U L A G E N E R A L P L A N
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· Land Use
· Circulation
· Housing
· Conservation
· Open Space
· Noise
· Safety
Jurisdictions may prepare and adopt any other General Plan
element or address any other subject of particular local relevance or
interest, with the understanding that these optional elements must
be implemented with the same vigor 􀂥 and are subject to the same
legal scrutiny 􀂥 as the mandatory elements. The City of Temecula
has elected to address economic development, community design,
public facilities and services, growth management, and air quality
within the General Plan as additional elements.
The Land Use Element establishes a framework for growth and
development within the Planning Area, and provides for the types,
intensity, density, and distribution of land uses found in Temecula.
The Circulation Element establishes the transportation network
needed to support the travel demands associated with land uses.
The Housing Element describes how current housing will be
conserved and new housing will be produced. This element defines
local housing problems and needs and identifies programs to
achieve housing objectives.
The Open Space/ Conservation Element establishes polices and
implementation programs to encourage the conservation, protection
and management of natural resources within the Planning Area.
This element also addresses the parks and recreation system needed
to serve the community.
The Growth Management/ Public Facilities Element addresses
public services and infrastructure requirements needed to serve
development in a timely manner. This element also addresses local
and regional growth management issues, including compliance with
State laws.
The Public Safety Element provides a planning framework for the
protection of the community from natural and human activity
hazards.
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The Noise Element identifies noise sensitive land uses and noise
sources, and establishes programs to protect the community from
the adverse affects of excessive noise.
The Air Quality Element establishes a policy foundation to
implement local government control measures, as required by the
Air Quality Management Plan.
The Community Design Element provides design policies and
criteria that address issues to enhance and preserve the community-wide
appearance and character of Temecula, including visual
compatibility between land uses, preservation of neighborhoods and
significant natural features, quality design treatment of current land
uses and new land use concepts, such as mixed- use development,
and provision of public improvements and community spaces
required for an evolving community.
The Economic Development Element provides direction for
economic development and a means to attain an economically
viable community.
Table I- 1 summarizes of the organization of the General Plan and
the interrelationship between the elements.
TABLE I- 1
INTERRELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TEMECULA
GENERAL PLAN ELEMENTS
Temecula
General Plan Elements Related Elements and Issues
Land Use Element Circulation; Housing; Conservation of Open Space and Resources;
Growth Management; Fiscal Viability; Infrastructure and Services;
Economic Development
Circulation Growth Management; Air Quality; Noise; Land Use, Mixed- Use
Development
Housing Land Use; Parks; Public Services; Schools; Noise
Open Space/ Conservation Land Use; Parks & Recreation; Trails; Cultural Resources; Public
Safety
Growth Management/ Public
Facilities
Land Use; Regional Coordination; Air Quality; Circulation;
Congestion Management; Public Safety
Public Safety Open Space/ Conservation; Land Use; Noise; Circulation; Facilities
Planning
Noise Circulation; Public Safety; Land Use
Air Quality Land Use; Regional Coordination; Circulation
Community Design Land Use; Public Facilities; Parks, Trails & Open Space; Mixed- Use
Development; Housing; Economic Development
Economic Development Land Use; Public Facilities & Services; Community Design; Housing
C I T Y O F T E M E C U L A G E N E R A L P L A N
I- 9
ORGANIZATION AND USE OF THE
GENERAL PLAN
The General Plan is comprised of this Introduction and nine
elements. Each element is complete in itself, but is an integral part
of the General Plan. The General Plan is accompanied by a
Glossary ( Appendix A). Each of the nine General Plan elements is
organized according to the following format: 1) Introduction; 2)
Plan; 3) Goals and Policies; and 4) Implementation Programs.
The Introduction of each element describes the focus and the
purpose of the element. Other plans and programs beyond the
General Plan are identified that may be used to achieve specific
goals. The relationship of the element to other General Plan
elements is also discussed in the Introduction.
Each element also contains a Plan section. This section offers an
overview of the City 􀂪 s approach to significant planning issues. For
example, the Land Use Element indicates the types and intensities of
land use permitted in the City. The Circulation Element describes
the overall circulation system required to meet the future needs of
Temecula. Wherever possible, this section contains illustrative
maps, diagrams, and tables. This section also contains 􀂧 Plans in
Action 􀂨 which describe measures that the City has put in place to
implement identified goals and policies.
The Goals and Policies section of each element contains a
description of identified goals and policies related to the element
topic, based on input received from the community, members of
the Planning Commission and City Council, City staff, and other
public agencies.
Goals are broad statements of community desires, purpose or
direction. Policies serve as guides to the City Council, Planning
Commission, other City commissions and boards, and City staff in
reviewing development proposals and making other decisions that
affect the future growth and development of Temecula.
Following the Goals and Policies section of each Element are
Implementation Programs which identify specific actions to achieve
the goals, policies, and plans identified in each General Plan
element. These programs identify and describe specific actions and
responsible parties to ensure that General Plan goals, policies, and
plans are implemented.
C I T Y O F T E M E C U L A G E N E R A L P L A N
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The Glossary is an appendix to the General Plan ( Appendix A),
providing a set of definitions for technical terms used throughout
the Plan.
The organization of the General Plan allows users to turn to the
section that interests them and quickly obtain a perspective of City
policies on the subject. However, General Plan users should realize
that the policies in the various elements are interrelated and should
be examined comprehensively. Policies are presented as written
statements, tables, diagrams, and maps. All of these policy
components must be considered together when making planning
decisions.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN THE
GENERAL PLAN PROGRAM
Public participation played an important role in the Temecula
General Plan program. Because the General Plan reflects
community goals, citizen input was essential to identify issues and
formulate goals. Public participation in the General Plan
preparation process occurred through the following methods:
· Three Community Workshops involving City staff,
consultants, and the public. Community members were
invited to the Workshops to discuss their visions for the future
of Temecula, to review land use, circulation, and housing
alternatives and policies, and to comment on a preliminary
draft of this General Plan.
· The public was able to address decision makers regarding the
General Plan at four Joint Planning Commission/ City
Council Workshops. These workshops were conducted to:
review the vision for the future and confirm major issues;
review draft goals and policies; review land use, circulation,
and housing alternatives; and review the preliminary Draft
General Plan prior to public hearings.
· The Draft General Plan and Draft Environmental Impact
Report were circulated for public review and comment before
the General Plan Public Hearings held by the Planning
Commission and City Council prior to adoption.