Temecula's proposal to annex 4,500 acres passes LAFCO

RIVERSIDE - The city of Temecula's proposal to annex 4,500 acres -- including most of a nature habitat -- southwest of the city was approved today by a Riverside County regulatory body.

In a 6-0 vote, with one member absent, the Local Agency Formation Commission, which rules on municipal boundary changes, granted Temecula's ''sphere of influence'' amendment to stretch the city limits to include 95 percent of the Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve.

A similar proposal was voted down by LAFCO a year ago. At that time, Temecula wanted its new sphere to extend over a 414-acre site possessed by Wats...