RIVERSIDE -- A parcel of land in Menifee that has split the community over how it should be developed probably won't be vacant much longer after the Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a housing project for the site Tuesday.

The board, which makes land-use decisions for the 44-square-mile unincorporated community, voted 4-0 to approve the project at its meeting in Riverside. Supervisor Roy Wilson was absent.

The community dispute centers on whether the 39-acre parcel should remain zoned for industrial uses and stay vacant until such uses are built or whether homes should be built on the land.

The question of what will be built there was answered when developer Cal Prop received approval Tuesday to change the land's zoning from industrial to residential so it could build 128 homes there.

The county's general plan, which guides land use in the unincorporated area, already designates the property for residential development, though the zoning had not been changed to reflect that.

In addition to changing the zoning, the board gave final approval to an environmental study for the project.

The development, which is south of Craig Road and is bordered on its eastern, western and southern sides by Haun, Sherman and Garbani roads.

Supervisor Marion Ashley, who represents the 5th District, which does not include the Menifee Valley, said he believes the proposal is a good fit for the area.

"If you wait long enough, there'll be commercial (built in the area), but we have to deal with what's before us now," he said. "It's a quality project."

Supervisor Jim Venable, who represents the 3rd District, including Menifee Valley, did not comment in support of the project, though he voted in favor.

Tuesday was the third time the residential proposal has come before the supervisors. A representative of the developer asked for a delay the last time the project came before the board earlier this month so the company could address concerns raised in two letters opposing the project.

A group of Menifee residents who say the land should stay zoned industrial hired Temecula-based attorney Ray Johnson of Johnson & Sedlack to represent them. They contend the project would take away jobs and tax revenues needed in the community if it incorporates.

Residents being represented by the attorney did not speak at the meeting Tuesday.

The firm sent a letter asking the board to hold off on approving the project until a more thorough environmental assessment is completed. Johnson did not speak at the meeting, and could not be reached for comment late Tuesday.

The city of Temecula also opposes the project. Steve Brown, who represents the city, asked the county supervisors Tuesday to postpone their consideration of the project until a master plan is created for the community. He said the development will erode the jobs-to-housing ratio in the southwest portion of the county.

"(The area) is being developed in a piecemeal fashion," Brown said.

In response to the concerns, the company commissioned an economic report showing that the community already has more than 2,000 acres designated for commercial and industrial development. A company representative said that space should be sufficient to meet the community's needs.

Several Menifee residents spoke in favor of the development, saying it would bring road improvements, money for schools and a badly needed park.

Elizabeth Sullivan, a member of the Menifee Valley Property Owners Alliance, said the homes would be high quality, and would attract other quality projects to the area.

"We believe this is a project that will promote responsible growth," she said.

Contact staff writer Kelly Brusch at (951) 676-4315, Ext. 2626, or kbrusch@californian.com.