Murrieta Council Set to Clear Path for 35-Year-Old Retail Project
City leaders will vote Tuesday to remove a land restriction for the Shops at the Triangle, a 279,538-square-foot center expected to generate 900 jobs.
By Samuel Hayes ·
The wait may finally be ending for the 36.5-acre site wedged between Interstates 15 and 215 in Murrieta.
The City Council will hold a public hearing at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 17, to consider abandoning Lot A of Parcel Map 28280. This action removes a public right-of-way restriction that has held the land in place for decades. If approved, the decision clears the way for Phase 1 of the Shops at the Triangle.
The planned retail center will span 279,538 square feet across 25 individual buildings. The City of Murrieta estimates the project will create approximately 900 permanent jobs. At full build-out, the development is projected to generate annual sales tax revenue averaging $900,000, a figure that will fluctuate based on tenant mix and economic conditions.
Domenigoni-Barton Properties LLC and Tres Estrellas LLC own the property and are seeking the restriction removal. Southern California Edison has requested a utility easement be preserved to maintain necessary access. The Planning Commission determined on Sept. 23 that the abandonment aligns with the city's General Plan. City engineering staff confirmed the right-of-way is no longer needed and recommended proceeding.
The site, long known as the "golden triangle" to local residents, has remained largely undeveloped since 1990. That is when Riverside County first approved a specific plan for a shopping mall. For years, the land served as a seasonal venue for pumpkin and Christmas tree sales. The council approved initial development plans in 2024 and a formal development agreement in 2025. A resolution passed Oct. 6 set the schedule for the upcoming November hearing.
Traffic and air quality have remained focal points of debate since the project's inception. The city previously determined that the anticipated benefits outweighed environmental impacts that could not be fully mitigated. The 2025 agreement includes provisions for billboard relocation and potential property acquisition for off-site traffic improvements.
Residents within 500 feet of the site received formal notice of the meeting. They may attend the session at Murrieta City Hall, 1 Town Square, or submit written comments to the City Clerk before the vote. Those requiring accommodations must call 951-461-6030 at least 48 hours in advance.
