Planning Commission approves affordable housing for low-income families in Mecca
On September 3, the Planning Commission approved the Nuestro Orgullo project which will bring a 100 percent affordable housing development to Mecca for extremely low and low-income families.
The lots will range from 5,000 to 13,164 square feet and were developed by the Coachella Valley Housing Coalition. The site was previously agricultural land until 2002 and is surrounded by residential and vacant/agricultural properties.
The Coachella Valley Housing Coalition intends to move forward with building 291 homes on more than 60 acres of land which will include paved streets, open spaces, retention areas, and landscaped recreational zones.
The project came to fruition though the collaborative efforts of Planning, Transportation, Fire and other County departments.
Principal Planner Jose Merlan said it is fulfilling to have worked on the project because some families in Riverside County who don't make enough money to purchase a home - or can only afford to live in apartments or mobile homes - will now get an opportunity.
"It's single family - you get your front yard, your back yard," he said. "It is satisfying to know there is housing for all income levels. It makes me very proud."
The dark asphalt at Hemet-Rayn airport is where the apron has been reconstructed.
Aviation Division secures millions in federal and state grants for airport improvements
Riverside County’s Aviation Division secured multiple state and federal grants to fund critical infrastructure improvements at French Valley and Hemet-Ryan airports, significantly reducing the County’s local match requirement and ensuring these vital general aviation facilities remain safe, efficient, and ready to serve our growing region.
At French Valley Airport, Aviation received a total of $7.3 million in FAA funding and $200,000 from Caltrans Aeronautics to support reconstruction of the main aircraft apron. With a total project cost of $7.7 million, the Division’s share amounts to just $239,870 - an exceptional return on investment for one of the busiest general aviation airports in Southern California.
Similarly, at Hemet-Ryan Airport, Aviation secured $3.6 million in FAA funds and $183,992 from Caltrans Aeronautics, covering nearly all of the $3.8 million total project cost. The Division will contribute only $9,685 in local matching funds. This project will complete the full reconstruction of Hemet-Ryan’s aircraft apron, improving safety and extending pavement life for years to come.
An aircraft apron is a ramp area where planes are parked.
These grants are vitally important to the upkeep of our airports. Aviation is self-funded, with operations and local matches depending on lease revenues and fuel flowage fees. Leveraging federal and state dollars through the FAA and Caltrans is critical to maintaining and improving these public-use airports.
With these grants, Riverside County continues to demonstrate strong fiscal stewardship and strategic use of external funding to enhance its airport system, ensuring safe, efficient, and modern infrastructure that supports local businesses, emergency response, and regional mobility.
TLMA celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month which runs from September 15 to October 15, TLMA put the spotlight on Supervising Code Enforcement Officer Anayeli Rangel who is proud of her familial roots in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Rangel shared how speaking Spanish helps our community feel more at ease and supported. She also talked about why diversity matters, and how her role goes beyond enforcing laws. At the end of the day, Code Enforcement is about problem-solving and being here to help our neighborhoods thrive.
She also took us up in a Black Hawk helicopter with the Sheriff's Department to help eradicate illegal cannabis grows in Riverside County.
We’re proud to feature Rangel as she shares her story, her heritage, and how she helps keep our communities safe.
Code Enforcement, Sheriff's Homeless Outreach Team connect homeless to services in Indio
Our Code Enforcement team partnered with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and their Homeless Outreach Team to connect unhoused neighbors in Indio with essentials they can’t easily access on foot such as clothing, water and support services.
Planning Department holds community meetings to discuss the Cabazon Community Plan
The Planning Department began meeting with residents of Cabazon to discuss the Cabazon Community Plan, which aims to address the community's land use and infrastructure needs in a comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable manner. This plan is a foundational step in preparing the Cabazon area for significant anticipated growth and development, particularly as the region plan for the possibility of accommodating up to 25,000 new housing units over the next 30 years.
To do this, the project proposes to include a Community Plan with land use changes, new policies, ordinance changes, and design guidelines, couples with a SCAG grant funded Infrastructure Plan that examines current infrastructure conditions and capacity, forecasts future demand, and outlines key improvements and investments in areas such as water and wastewater systems, energy, broadband internet, transportation, and stormwater management.
These updates are not only necessary to support housing growth, but also critical to enhancing quality of life, economic opportunity, climate resilience, and public health in Cabazon.
Residents are invited to take a Community Survey to provide their thoughts on the future for Cabazon and to sign up for a workgroup to provide feedback and their vision for Cabazon’s growth and development.
For more information about the Cabazon Community Plan, visit the website at https://planning.rctlma.org/cabazon-community-plan.
Code Enforcement's effort to combat illegal dumping earns coverage on KESQ
KESQ News Channel 3 aired a story in July about the work Code Enforcement does to help our communities with the safety hazard of illegal dumping.
The report focused on the work of Code Enforcement officers Claudio Tagle and Brenda Velez. The officers prepared for the interview by locating properties that had chronic issues with illegal dumping and talked about what they've done to improve our communities.
Code Enforcement expands Palm Desert Office to improve services
Code Enforcement celebrated the 5,000-square-foot-expansion of the Palm Desert Office with an Open House attended by staff and partners from the Sheriff's Department and local officials.
Code Enforcement Director Brian Contino, said the office is in a location that helps officers do their jobs, particularly around festival season in the Coachella Valley. They are closer to supplies and closer to the desert communities which improves response times.
The officers are all local residents of the desert and know the culture of the district. They are proud to serve their communities.
Transportation Performance Measures
April 2025- June 2025
Do you need help navigating the building permit process? We're here to help.
TLMA's Permit Process Advisors (PPAs) are dedicated to guiding customers through the often-complex permitting process for their projects.
Our Permit Process Advisors help residents, and "Mom-and-Pop" small business owners through the permitting process from start to finish. The most requested permits by our customers include the installation of manufactured homes or single-family dwellings, ADUs, pools, patios, BBQ islands, room additions, detached garages, barns, and sheds.
Permit Process Advisors will help connect customers with the right departments within TLMA to get their projects completed.
To better serve people, each Permit Process Advisor is assigned to specific supervisorial districts but they work as a team to share knowledge and come up with solutions to help solve common customer challenges.
To reach out for services, visit rctlma.org/ppa.
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This email was sent from the Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency. To contact TLMA visit our website at rctlma.org.
