Cathedral City gets preliminary approval to annex 670 acres

Riverside County gave Cathedral City preliminary approval to annex 670 acres of land west of Thousand Palms.

The decision was made at a special meeting of LAFCO, the Local Agency Formation Commission, Thursday morning.

The land is located north of I-10 along Varner road, east of DaVall Drive and west of Rio Del Sol.

The land owner, Newport developer Bill Messenger, pushed the annexation because it will help him build on a majority of the area.

The city says over the next 15 years, Messenger plans to build fast food restaurants, gas stations and a hotel on the parcel.

Cathedral City Mayor Kathy DeRosa offered this statement regarding the annexation:

“I’m excited and pleased for Mr. Messenger. He has great development plans for his property and this development will further provide property tax for Cathedral City as well as much needed freeway recognition.”

Before the city receives a Certificate of Completion for the annexation it will have to meet what it called routine terms and conditions.

That includes the city agreeing to take over maintenance issues from the county, and any property owner within the annexation land will be given additional time to object.