About the Update

An Emphasis on Economic Development

The General Plan has served the City well, but new City Council direction and new types of development have led to the need to update the Plan. Recently, the City Council identified Economic Development as the City’s #1 priority. To support that priority, the City Council established a Comprehensive Development Strategy presenting the 20-year vision that Murrieta will be a diversified business hub for Southwest Riverside County and North San Diego County. 

To achieve this, the City seeks to encourage private sector investment in the creation of higher paying jobs, income, and wealth through economic diversification.  The City is focusing its efforts to attract a variety of businesses, higher educational institutions, and health care facilities. A full range of quality new development will be part of this effort, including retail centers, corporate/technology parks, hotels and upscale restaurants.  

Economic development for Murrieta will provide employment opportunities for Murrieta residents, as well as a strong base of public revenue to maintain or enhance our quality of life.

Targeted Changes in Land Use

Land use and zoning changes are proposed as part of the General Plan Update, in certain targeted areas.  However, land use policies are expected to remain the same for most residential neighborhoods and most parts of the City. 

The areas targeted for change include key locations along freeway corridors that are suitable for major land development and redevelopment to carry out the Council’s economic development strategy.  Some of these areas are anticipated to develop as medical, educational, commercial, and business centers—such as the Loma Linda University Medical Center at Murrieta (in the North Murrieta/I-215 Corporate Corridor), the Murrieta Education Center (in the South Murrieta Business Corridor), and land in the tip of the triangle formed by I-15 and I-215. 

Land use changes will also be considered in two rural residential areas north of Clinton Keith Road that are adjacent to major new development along I-215.

Updating the General Plan

After centuries of small-scale settlement, the Murrieta community has grown rapidly in the last 20 years, and now over 100,000 people live in the city we know today. By updating the General Plan, we can shape the next 25 years of our community. 

The General Plan will include long-range goals, policies, and exhibits addressing several topics.  Some of these topics are required by the State (land use, housing, circulation, conservation, open space, noise, and safety) and others will be included because they are priorities for our community.  The updated General Plan is envisioned to address the following topics: