North County Group – Sierra Club S.D.

Explore, Enjoy, and Protect the Planet.

WBC Logo
Learn to Backpack
Visit the new WBC
  • Home
  • Get Outdoors
  • Get Involved
  • WBC
  • Events
  • Blog
  • About
  • Donate

San Diego Coalition Opposes Palomar Heights Proposal

October 6, 2020 – By Sierra Club North County Group Leave a Comment

Palomar Heights proposal site plan

On October 21, the Escondido City Council will vote on the Palomar Heights proposal. NCG, along with a strong coalition of nearly 15 local organizations, has opposed this project for being significantly under-density and not including enough affordable housing.

On September 18, the coalition filed a request to deny the Palomar Heights proposal:

We strongly support transit-oriented development projects that create affordable housing, high- quality construction jobs and apprenticeship training opportunities in the community and the old hospital site is probably the best location in the entire city for a signature, quality, high-density project offering a range of housing options. Unfortunately, this is not what Integral is bringing to the community and we urge you to reject their proposal. Moreover:

  1. Any development at this site should be high-density closer to the planned zoning with no fewer than 900-1,000 DU minimum density.
  2. The fiscal impact of the project on Escondido taxpayers is estimated to be $300,000 per year, that should be recuperated through service Community Facilities District (CFD) fees or other offsets. Any development impact fee reduction constitutes a public subsidy that requires the payment of prevailing wages to construction workers under California Labor Code Section 1720(b)(4).
  3. Any development in this location must include on site affordable housing, no less than 30%.
  4. Any development here should integrate walkable/bikeable and transit use and Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) reduction measures into its project scope, traffic mitigation and urban design, to be consistent with Escondido’s new Climate Action Plan and Senate Bill 743.

We urge you to deny Integral’s project, conduct a true objective appraisal, and re-issue the Request for Proposals with clear climate, labor standards and affordable housing criteria and align with the points outlined above.

Click here to read the full letter (PDF)

Image courtesy of Dudek/City of Escondido, Final Environmental Impact Report

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: Escondido, Palomar Heights

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Upcoming Events

There are no upcoming events at this time.

See All Events

Become a Member

Join the Sierra Club

Scholarships Recipients

Erin Hagen – Scholarship Recipient Letter

So, Sierra Club, thank you for helping me in my continuing quest. There are a lot of expenses in juggling a job, school, and a teenage daughter still at home. This scholarship will really help ease my mind for this coming semester. I am very touched and honored that I am receiving this scholarship.

Erin Hagen
Miguel Avalos – Scholarship Recipient Letter

I offer you my sincerest gratitude upon granting me your support. I am Miguel Avalos, the proud recipient of the North County Group Sierra Club San Diego Scholarship. Your kindness and generosity are greatly appreciated and valued. Your charitableness is a blessing and I am honored to even be considered for the award.

Miguel Avalos

North County Group

  • North County Group Home
  • About NCG
  • Contact NCG

Become a Member

Join the Sierra Club

Highlights

  • Wilderness Basics Course
  • Get Outdoors
  • Get Involved

Connect with NCG

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter

Search NCG Website

Copyright © 2022 · NCG on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in