Please attend SANDAG’s October 15 zoom meeting (details below) and remind SANDAG that Rancho Lilac was acquired to conserve species and habitats, providing a “net environmental benefit” above and beyond traditional mitigation, and not for recreational purposes. Suggested talking points have been provided by the habitat advocates. Also see WHCC’s August 28 letter as background. Meeting details are https://mailchi.mp/af63a2c806e6/youre-invited-rancho-lilac-public-meeting?e=7d69df0560.
Thanks for your help and support in protecting San Diego County’s environmental integrity.
Pam Heatherington, WHCC Co-coordinator
Upcoming Public Meeting for Rancho Lilac Property
SANDAG to host a virtual meeting to discuss the Rancho Lilac property
SANDAG invites you to join the Rancho Lilac project team for a virtual discussion on the future of the Rancho Lilac property near Valley Center. The meeting will be held on Thursday, October 15, from 6-7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Please see below for a link to the public meeting.
Please click here for access to the Rancho Lilac public meeting.
During the meeting, SANDAG staff will provide a project update and then will be available to answer questions from the public.
Project Update
In 2011, Caltrans District 11 acquired the 902-acre Rancho Lilac property with TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program (EMP) funds to meet the provision of the TransNet Ordinance that requires the State Route 76 (SR 76) highway improvement project to result in an environmental “net benefit”.
In December 2014, the SANDAG Board of Directors authorized the Executive Director to conduct a solicitation for ownership and management of Rancho Lilac. Three proposals were received for the Rancho Lilac property. San Diego Habitat Conservancy (SDHC) was selected for negotiations in February 2017 due to receiving the highest rank during evaluations.
SANDAG staff is developing a recommendation that will provide assurances that the proposed action would not preclude a future public trail while still protecting the biological, cultural, and historic resources of the property. This recommendation will be discussed at the public meeting and presented to the SANDAG Board of Directors on October 23, 2020.
To receive updates on the TransNet Environmental Mitigation Program, please visit KeepSanDiegoMoving.com.
I was born in 1949. My uncle was Willis Goode, General Manager of Rancho Lilac. My father was the ranch superintendent when I was born I was born at a hospital in Escondido. That property was formerly a Sears Department Store. My Mom and Dad and I lived in the little house across the street and next to a creek. That house is now the Yelow Cafe. I have many wonderful memories of Rancho Lilac when I was growing up. We moved when I was two years old, but. Visited often because my Aunt Virginia and Uncle Willis lived there for many years. If the property is ever open for a tour I would love to be notified. .
thank you so much.