Neighbors decry Safari Highlands Ranch plans

Foreshadowing what will likely be a controversial debate in the years to come, a large crowd of San Pasqual Valley residents turned out at Wednesday’s Escondido City Council meeting for a discussion on the proposed Safari Highlands Ranch development.

In order for the 550-home project — proposed for a hilly parcel north of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park — to be approved one day, the city would need to enlarge its sphere of influence on its eastern boundary.

The council was being asked by staff for direction about proceeding with a sphere update needed to include the Safari Highlands Ranch development land into an area that could be later annexed into the municipality. Last year, the council gave developer Concordia Communities LLC the green light to begin the planning process — while offering no guarantees that the project would ultimately be approved. Concordia hopes to build 550 homes on 350 acres of a 1,098-acre parcel. If the city doesn’t enlarge its sphere of influence to include the land, it would have the same effect as denying the project before it could be vetted.

On Wednesday, the council unanimously agreed to begin the sphere study, which will be paid for by the developer, but not before hearing from about a dozen people who are opposed to the development. Most who spoke live in the neighboring communities of Rancho San Pasqual and Rancho Vista Monte near the Eagle Crest Golf Club west of the Safari Park.

“How will 550 homes, all crammed in, affect the hundreds of homeowners who already own homes in the area?” asked resident Karen Greenwood. “This development damages current property owners home values by causing traffic jams and it pollutes the air and much more. This project is too big and needs to be evaluated.”

Josie Ackerman, who lives on property that would abut the new development, said even the name of the housing project is offensive.

“How sad that the Safari Highlands Ranch has twisted not only the name but the purpose of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park,” she said. “The park is dedicated to preserving our unique and highly endangered habitat. Safari Highlands Ranch has the audacity of proposing to use our neighborhoods and scarce natural resources for clustering hundreds of houses.”

Council members, except for Olga Diaz who did not attend the meeting, were quick to point out that no decision was being made about the project, and that such a decision is likely two, three or even four years off.

Councilman John Masson said the property in question should have been included in the sphere years ago because the city’s General Plan already includes the area.

“I am sensitive to everybody that spoke. This is the next step in the process and should have been done a long time ago,” Masson said. “There will be time to look at all the impacts. All those conversations are still to come.”

The council also gave city planners the go- ahead to evaluate small areas to the north and west of the city for inclusion, or possibly for exclusion.

Mayor Sam Abed said nothing will be done until all studies have been completed and everyone is satisfied that all significant impacts of the project can be mitigated. Abed is vice chairman of the county’s Local Agency Formation Commission, which ultimately would approve the expanded sphere and the annexation of the land.

“There will be an impact on the San Pasqual Valley,” Abed said. “We are not approving a project today. Are we moving forward toward a project? Yes we are... but I will not support Safari Highlands Ranch unless the significant impacts have been mitigated. This is the game of development.”