Politics & Government
SD Planning Commission Recommends Castlerock Project Approval
Though skeptical about sustainability features of the development, commissioners vote to move the project forward and annex land to Santee.
After more than a decade of planning, the more than 400-unit Castlerock housing project proposed to be built across from West Hills High School is one step closer to construction.
The San Diego Planning Commission voted 4-2 Thursday to recommend approval of the project to the San Diego City Council, which will decide the development's fate in September. The commission emphasized that they would prefer to see the land, which is currently part of the city of San Diego, be made part of the city of Santee.
The planning commission held a public hearing to review plans for the Castlerock residential complex that would be developed on 204 acres at the foothills north of Mast Boulevard between Medina Drive and West Hills Parkway. They heard from supporters and foes of the project.
Environmental organizations, residents and commissioners voiced concerns that included fire risks, traffic impacts, affects on threatened species, proximity to Sycamore Landfill and impacts on the San Diego River.
An owner of land within the development site summed up why the project is right for Santee.
"Right now you drive into Santee and what you see is a landfill," said Dave Dilday. "This project will bring a trail system... Santee is crying out for move up housing, there hasn't been any in the at area for many years."
A Santee resident that lives two blocks from proposed development said she wants a new home with energy efficiency and would like to move into the new development.
"I see this as the future of Santee," said Melissa Kessler. "We have a new community now, why not build the homes to go with it."
The project currently has two plans, one where the land is made part of Santee (annexed), and the alternative where the development would remain part of San Diego. All signs point to annexation, but it's not set in
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Commissioner Anthony Wagner was the only member to openly oppose annexing the land to Santee, for the reason of lost tax income for San Diego in the future. He voted against recommending approval.
"One day this will be the right fit for san diego, just not now," said Wagner.
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City of Santee Director of Planning Melanie Kush told the commission that Santee intends to annex the land, but the final decision would remain with the Santee City Council.
"If it's built on our border we'd like to annex it, otherwise we'll end up paying for their services with our joint services agreement," said Mayor Randy Voepel at the city council meeting Wednesday evening, before the Planning Commission vote.An attorney representing Pardee Homes told the commission that negotiations were ongoing between all parties concerned with annexation, and they are all in agreement that the land should become part of Santee.
According to the EIR, the Santee Fire Department has declined to offer emergency support to the development unless the land is annexed, and Padre Dam Municipal Water has indicated the same.
Wagner, who voted to deny the project, railed off a list of problems with the project included the fact that Caltrans didn't support the certification of the Castlerock Environmental Impact Report. He said Caltrans indicated the traffic volume on Mast Boulevard and SR-52 is understated in the EIR and doesn't anticipate peak traffic conditions.
"The project in the current form is detrimental to health, safety and welfare of potential residents," said Wagner. "Should it remain in San Diego, the fire police and medical services and utilities would be inadequate," he said.
A number of commissioners said the sustainability and energy efficiency features of the project did not impress them, especially the lack of solar power.
"The sustainability features are just not there," said Tim Golba. "You're [Pardee Homes] doing the absolute bare minimum. Where's the solar? You have room for solar fields."
"There was a time when Pardee was cutting edge, but that time has passed you by," said Chairperson Eric Naslund.
Commissioner Theresa Quiroz, who also voted against the project, voiced concern about unexploded ordinance that may remain in the area from military actions conducted decades ago. The city staff said the project is in coordination with the U.S. Army Corp in making sure the site is entirely cleared.
The Army Corp included in the EIR that the level of noise and vibration at the site due to the proximity to a Military training area could make living uncomfortable. Buyers will have to be told the development is next to a landfill and a Class 1 Military air base that operates 24/7.
The developer is marketing the project to families and recreational enthusiasts, according to their website. Home sizes would range from 1,700 to 3,800 square feet.
The project would include two miles of walking trails along Mast Boulevard and Medina Drive that will provide a link between the existing trails near Mission Trails Regional Park and Goodan Ranch Park and the permanent preservation of 95 acres as natural open space
"Our intention is to be sensitive to the natural surroundings and emphasize open space," Jimmy Ayala, Director of Pardee Homes, told the commission.
Preserve Wild Santee voiced their concern about impacts to wildlife in the Sycamore Canyon area, and Coastkeepers pushed the issue of impacts on the endangered San Diego Ferry Shrimp in vernal pools near and within the project site.
San Diego City Council will make a final vote on project approval in September.
The Environmental Impact Report for the project can be found here.
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