Panel studies special labels for areas

By:HENRI BRICKEY - Staff Writer | Tuesday, July 29, 2003 6:16 AM PDT ∞

A county agency will consider taking action this week that some say could make it harder for communities such as Wildomar or Menifee to become cities of their own.

The special designation "unincorporated community" is a label that indicates a town is in the process of trying to become a city. The title has also served as a "keep out" warning to cities looking at annexing an area.

In theory, an area identified as an unincorporated community is given five years to show the progress it has made in becoming a city. During that time, neighboring cities cannot take steps to absorb all or part of the area.

But at least one member of the county agency responsible for setting boundaries and approving cityhood, the Local Agency Formation Commission, says the designation often isn't accomplishing what it's supposed to and wants to consider altering or eliminating them.

Hemet City Councilwoman Robin Lowe, who represents that city on LAFCO, as the agency is known, said Monday that the designations give communities "a false sense of security."

"Some (unincorporated communities) have been there for years, and they're just out there floundering," Lowe said. "It's not fair for us to give a community a false sense of hope when they'll never (be able) to become a city."

The commission will discuss the designation at Thursday's LAFCO meeting, starting at 9 a.m. in the Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting room, 4080 Lemon St., Riverside. The commission will also look at altering or eliminating the similar "community of interest" designation, assigned to areas in two-year increments while residents decide which fate they would like their area to pursue ---- annexation, incorporation or remaining unincorporated. Riverside is the only county in the state that assigns either designation to communities.

Sheryl Ade ---- vice chairwoman of the Wildomar Municipal Advisory Council and secretary of the group pushing for cityhood, Wildomar Incorporation Now ---- said the designations can help by setting objectives for groups.

"I think they (the two designations) are beneficial as long as the people in the community go forth with their plans to incorporate and take on responsibilities," Ade said.

George Spiliotis, executive director of LAFCO, said Monday that the board may decide to remove the designations or come up with other policies for communities seeking to become cities.

"This could go anywhere," he said.

County Supervisor Bob Buster, who also sits on LAFCO, said the mechanics of the unincorporated community status may need some fine tuning, but nevertheless said he supports it.

"I think it's important to keep and build on these efforts," Buster said.

One way to do so, he said, is for the county to be more proactive in helping communities that are trying to incorporate.

A few months ago, the Board of Supervisors approved a plan pitched by Buster to help pay for the costly studies unincorporated areas must complete to become cities.

One area that would be effected most by any changes made to the unincorporated community statues is Wildomar, a town of about 20,000 people between Murrieta and Lake Elsinore.

The commission is in the middle of reviewing whether to extend Wildomar's unincorporated community status for another five years. At the same time, the city of Murrieta has submitted an application to include Wildomar into the city's sphere of influence. If the sphere of influence is approved, it would eliminate Wildomar's unincorporated-community status.

In April, the commission gave residents of Wildomar and Murrieta officials six months to determine the costs associated with Wildomar's possible annexation and whether the town can generate enough revenue to support itself.

Contact staff writer Henri Brickey at (909) 676-4315, Ext. 2616, or hbrickey@californian.com.

7/29/03