Scrutiny Continues For Walmart Gas Station Planned In Lake Elsinore

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — The review process continues for a proposed Walmart gasoline station and convenience store in Lake Elsinore.

During this week's Lake Elsinore Planning Commission meeting, the commissioners will discuss a conditional use permit and commercial design review for the project that is slated for a 1.10-acre site within the existing Walmart Supercenter parking lot at 29260 Central Avenue.

The meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2.

It's not the first time the project has come before the Planning Commission.

During an Oct. 21 public hearing, the Planning Commission heard a presentation on the proposal, took public comments, asked questions, and discussed the project.

During the meeting, the commissioners expressed concerns about the proposed project's traffic impact at major intersections along Central Avenue; the perceived oversaturation of gas stations in the area; and the potential parking snarls at Walmart.

To allow Walmart representatives time to address the concerns, the Planning Commission unanimously voted to continue discussion about the proposal to its Dec. 2 meeting.

Since October, the city has received updates from Walmart, and that information is expected to be shared during Tuesday's meeting.

The proposed gasoline station features an approximately 5,400-square-foot overhead fueling canopy, eight gasoline pump islands with two dispensers per pump island (16 dispensers total), and a 1,618-square-foot convenience store.

The convenience store is currently not proposing to sell off-site alcohol.

As part of the upcoming meeting, city staff hopes to receive feedback from the Planning Commission regarding the project's next steps.

The 6 p.m. Dec. 2 Lake Elsinore Planning Commission meeting takes place at the Cultural Center, 183 N. Main Street. See the full meeting agenda here.