On April 27, the Escondido Planning Commission will be reviewing the programs and policies in the 2021 DRAFT Housing Element. Sierra Club NCG is calling for significant additions and revisions to the plan to increase affordable housing and density in areas where it is appropriate and much needed.  We filed two sets of specific recommendations …  Read Full Article ▸

Sierra Club North County Group and over 40 local community, tribal, climate, labor, environmental justice, and conservation organizations submitted a letter to the Escondido City Council outlining milestones that should be achieved prior to the city moving forward with any consideration of Harvest Hills. In the letter, the group outlines significant policy conflicts between the …  Read Full Article ▸

An additional letter filed April 19, 2021 outlined two key areas of improvement needed in the Housing Element, an inclusionary housing ordinance and distance buffers from freeways to protect human health.  Future letters to follow. The draft Escondido Housing Element and the East Valley Specific Plan Update will be discussed a series of meetings of …  Read Full Article ▸

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sierra Club North County Group (NCG) Celebrates Herminia Ledesma  First Latina Appointed to the Escondido Planning Commission This week the Escondido City Council made history by appointing the first ever Latina to the Escondido Planning Commission.  On a 3-2 vote (Morasco, Garcia opposed), Herminia Ledesma, a 27-year resident of Escondido and graduate …  Read Full Article ▸

Sierra Club NCG filed a final letter on the ECAP adoption in advance of the March 10th hearing. NCG members have participated in the Escondido Community Advisory Group on Environmental and Climate Action. The final VOTE about the Escondido Climate Action Plan Update will be held on March 10 at 6 PM at the City …  Read Full Article ▸

Built to Burn: New Report on Development in Fire Zones   A very important report (directly relevant to the local proposal Harvest Hills) has been issued by the Center for Biological Diversity last week. Built to Burn, California’s Wildlands Developments are Playing with Fire, Bold Land-use Reforms Needed Now to Ensure Safer, Sustainable Future. The authors …  Read Full Article ▸