Padre Dam Board Votes to Provide Water to New Castlerock Community

The Castlerock housing development is one step closer to becoming part of Santee after an unanimous vote by the Padre Dam Municipal Water District board on Wednesday to provide water services to the community when it is constructed.

Following final approval by the San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission, the district will provide water, recycled water and sewer services to Castlerock’s 430 units.

The board was told that they could only oppose to provide services to the area for financial or service concerns, and that land use decisions aren't in their authority. Padre Dam General Manager Allen Carlisle supported the decision to provide services.

They also voted unanimously to support Santee's decision to annex Castlerock. Santee City Council voted last week 3-2 to make the community and the estimated 1,000 residents a part of town.

UT San Diego reported that eight speakers voiced their concerns about the project to the water board. Van Collinsworth, with Preserve Wild Santee, has spoken up about flooding concerns at numerous public meetings. He told the board that sewage from Castlerock will be added to a pump station that he described as already "flood-vulnerable" during heavy rainfall.

The Castlerock community will be located on a 204-acre site just off of State Route 52 and north of Mast Boulevard. 

The annexation agreement that was prepared in collaboration with the City of San Diego, City of Santee and Padre Dam Municipal Water District. 

The next step for Castlerock is a review before the LAFC, which will consider a Municipal Services Review/Sphere of Influence update to finalize the jurisdictional changes.

"Water is a necessity for any community and we are confident that Castlerock will be well-served by the Padre Dam Municipal Water District," said Jimmy Ayala, Director of Community Development for Pardee Homes.

A press release from Pardee Homes contributed to this post.