More BMP failures at Oak Creek today. We continue to urge the Regional Water Board to take strong action against this developer for continuing violations of water quality regulations.
Stormwater Failures Continue at Oak Creek Development site
Yes on Measure A comments by Mayor Paul McNamara and Vista Councilmember Corinna Contreras
North County Officials support Yes on Measure A.
Don’t miss this great news conference held today in Escondido. The video is here. Please watch the comments of these leaders in the North County who support Yes on Measure A.
The press release is here
North County Elected Officials Urge Support for Measure A to
Give Voters a Voice in Land Use Decisions
Escondido, Calif. – Escondido Mayor Paul McNamara and Vista City Councilmember Corinna Contreras today urged San Diego County voters to vote Yes on Measure A, the Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside (SOS) Citizens’ Initiative. At a press conference in Escondido, the two elected officials highlighted the benefits of voter involvement in approving General Plan Amendments and spoke about the history of Proposition S, an Escondido land use rule comparable to the countywide Measure A.
“In Escondido, the passage of Proposition S encouraged development where it was needed most,” said Mayor McNamara. “Prop S has not impeded economic development or housing development in Escondido, and there is every reason to believe that Measure A will similarly guide developers to build housing closer to jobs and infrastructure.”
Under today’s system, developers have repeatedly proposed large luxury developments in fire-prone areas of unincorporated San Diego County. Measure A gives voters a voice in deciding whether zoning changes for large housing developments in rural and semi-rural areas of San Diego’s backcountry should be allowed.
“Measure A encourages following the County’s smart growth general plan, which is the key to meeting our greenhouse gas emissions targets and creating a more sustainable region,” said Vista City Councilmember Corinna Contreras. “When the County does not follow its smart growth general plan, it destroys habitat while creating more congestion in our region and making housing less affordable. Sprawl is bad for the cities and bad for the countryside. Vote Yes on Measure A to limit sprawl.”
San Diego County’s General Plan concentrates new housing in areas where roads, public safety, schools and other services are already available. These locations are easier to defend from wildfire and have a lower taxpayer burden because they don’t require new infrastructure. The General Plan also zones for housing in areas that would limit traffic impacts.
San Marcos Councilmember Randy Walton, who was unable to attend, released the following statement, “San Marcos and other North County cities are working hard to build the right kinds of housing in the right kinds of places. If the County continues to approve sprawl projects requiring amendments to their smart-growth general plan, it undermines smart regional planning for our entire county. A vote of Yes on Measure A will help limit congestion, greenhouse gas emissions and habitat destruction while contributing to a vibrant, livable North County with housing and job opportunities for all.”
“Measure A will give voters a say in San Diego’s land use decisions and will reduce the outsized influence of political contributions from developers; it will be a game changer,” said JP Theberge of Grow the San Diego Way and the Yes on A Campaign. “The General Plan has areas zoned for 60,000 more housing units in the county. Measure A will encourage us to build where we smartly planned for development rather than inefficiently and in a haphazard manner in our fire-prone backcountry. This approach has worked in Escondido and in many other jurisdictions, and it will work in the unincorporated San Diego County too.”
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Paid for by Yes on A, Safeguard Our San Diego Countryside 2020, Sponsored by environmental and land use organizations, Committee major funding from Endangered Habitats League. | State ID # 1418132
Volunteer with Produce Good and pick excess fruit in our area on Feb 1
We received the following request for volunteers. Check it out!
My name is Dominique Dashwood and I am an AmeriCorps fellow working with the non-profit, ProduceGood. I saw on your website that Escondido Neighbors United is committed to improving the Escondido community for residents. This is why I am reaching out to you with a great opportunity to alleviate hunger and conserve the environment in your city.
My name is Dominique Dashwood and I am an AmeriCorps fellow working with the non-profit, ProduceGood. I saw on your website that Escondido Neighbors United is committed to improving the Escondido community for residents. This is why I am reaching out to you with a great opportunity to alleviate hunger and conserve the environment in your city.
We are currently looking for volunteers for an event on Saturday, February 1st at an orchard in Escondido (the exact location will be released upon sign up ). People of all ages can participate outside with the butterflies and bees, picking citrus by hand or with a picker pole. By actively picking healthy produce for San Diego’s food insecure and preventing this excess fruit from going to waste, your efforts will benefit the people and environment in your community. Additionally, taking part in the event allows volunteers to experience firsthand the tactical aspect of food recovery principles and become ambassadors of sustainable food systems. Here is a video from one of our events so you can get a better idea of the volunteer roles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_xqSVuyPso&t=19s
I would greatly appreciate if you could pass along this information to members of your organization. The events are well-enjoyed by groups of volunteers. If you are interested in joining our efforts, please reach out to me (my information is provided below) and you may sign up directly on our website https://producegood.volunteerhub.com/event/index/11320973. Please note you must register and sign a waiver to join us. Once you sign up as a volunteer you can register for other available events in our calendar as well. Sharing has never been sweeter!
Thank you, and please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. I hope to see you out there!
Environmental Community meeting, January 28th at 7 PM at Chalice
Our friends at Sierra Club North County Group will be holding their first monthly meeting of the year on Tuesday, January 28th, 7 PM at Chalice in the Blue Room. Address is 2324 Miller Ave.
Environmental
Education and Action
Education and Action
Community
Meeting
Meeting
North County Habitat
Plans and Environmental
Ballot Measures A and B
Plans and Environmental
Ballot Measures A and B
What: Community Meeting
Who: People interested in
learning about local environmental issues
learning about local environmental issues
When: Tuesday, January 28, 2020
7:00
to 8:30 PM
to 8:30 PM
Where: Chalice UU Congregation, Blue
Room, 2324 Miller Ave,
Escondido Contact conservation@sierraclubncg.org with questions.
Room, 2324 Miller Ave,
Escondido Contact conservation@sierraclubncg.org with questions.
The meeting is free of charge.
New Chatham Monitoring Results posted- Contamination still in Felicita Creek, levels rise in some monitoring wells
Today, the Chatham Barrel Yard October 2019 SemiAnnualDataSbmtl was posted showing the results of the October, 2019 monitoring event.
Escondido Neighbors United will be reviewing the document and expects to have detailed comments, however a quick review shows that contamination is still in Felicita Creek in areas where people use the creek and several monitoring stations have higher contamination results than in previous sampling events. At least one well that is supposed to be sampled has not been.
ENU will also be asking questions about what the most recent massive erosion event caused by failure of the Oak Creek developers to control storm water may have on movement of contamination. This failure has already led to a Stop Work order and a Notice of Violation from the city.
We will share further information as we review the document.
Rock Concert for the Environment- Spin Doctors in Escondido Feb. 16th
We have a great opportunity to hear a great concert and raise funds to Stop Sprawl in San Diego.
THE SPIN DOCTORS will perform a concert on February 16, 2020 at the Escondido Arts Center. Here is the info https://www.stopsprawl.org/events
Buy tickets here
Uncontrolled sprawl is one of the the most serious problems in our region. From increawsing carbon emissions, reducing quality of life, undermining our transit planning, and fire. We have to stop relying on this antiquated type of development. Instead, we need to provide more housing in our urban core areas that is available to more economic levels. Vote Yes and Measure A and NO on Measure B in the March 3rd election.
This concert is a fun way to help stop sprawl.
Don’t Miss It!!!! We can save our region!
Oak Creek receives Notice of Violation and a Stop Work notice for failure to comply with storm water regulations
An update on the complaint filed by ENU.
The City issued a Notice of
Violation/Notice of Correction to Oak Creek on 12/31/19. While they worked hard
to get their BMPs in order by the deadline of today, we reinspected and found
them still deficient and issued a Stop Work Notice on January 6. The site will be inspected again later
this week.
NOV and Photos of violations
The Regional Board inspected
unannounced last Thursday and those results are pending.
unannounced last Thursday and those results are pending.
The mapping error ENU identified has been corrected and the result is the City will be inspecting every two
weeks for the remainder of the rainy season.
weeks for the remainder of the rainy season.
Stay Tuned.
Oak Creek poor construction practices significantly erodes into Felicita Creek
We hate to say ‘we told you so’, but there it is. One of our major concerns about this development was the risks it posed to the creek, the park, and downstream residents.
Now that the rains have come, the construction site of ‘Oak Creek’, having cut the oaks, is now damaging the creek.
Downstream neighbors have spent the week cleaning up the creek, removing debris, and loads of sand from Felicita creek. The creek in the Park is brown, even days after the last storm.
ENU documented just some of the problem which we believe is a violation of the storm water regulations.
We attempted to report to the city (as it is Escondido’s storm water permit which covers this site) but were unable to. The website for reporting still says that ‘Oak Creek’ is not in the city of Escondido.
As we brace for another storm tonight, ENU has reported this situation to the Regional Water Board and the County.
23 Environmental, Climate Coalition join forces to Oppose Harvest Hills in Escondido
Today,
more than 20 environmental, conservation, and climate organizations sent a letter to the Escondido City Council urging opposition to the proposed Harvest
Hills Development.
more than 20 environmental, conservation, and climate organizations sent a letter to the Escondido City Council urging opposition to the proposed Harvest
Hills Development.
The
groups noted that, in spite of a new marketing position, the project formerly
known as Safari Highlands Ranch is substantially the same when it comes to key
impacts, namely location in a high-risk fire zone, high evacuation hazards for
new and existing residents, and thousands of new cars on the roads in already
traffic constrained areas.
groups noted that, in spite of a new marketing position, the project formerly
known as Safari Highlands Ranch is substantially the same when it comes to key
impacts, namely location in a high-risk fire zone, high evacuation hazards for
new and existing residents, and thousands of new cars on the roads in already
traffic constrained areas.
The
groups noted that, in spite of a new marketing position, the project formerly
known as Safari Highlands Ranch is substantially the same when it comes to key
impacts, namely location in a high-risk fire zone, high evacuation hazards for
new and existing residents, and thousands of new cars on the roads in already
traffic constrained areas.
groups noted that, in spite of a new marketing position, the project formerly
known as Safari Highlands Ranch is substantially the same when it comes to key
impacts, namely location in a high-risk fire zone, high evacuation hazards for
new and existing residents, and thousands of new cars on the roads in already
traffic constrained areas.
Also
of concern are traffic and long-term climate impacts from the addition of
67,000 daily vehicle miles traveled in a time when we need to be
reducing VMT in order to comply with climate protection goals. The destruction
of critical habitat areas key for successful adopted and proposed Habitat Management
plans are also a significant impact.
of concern are traffic and long-term climate impacts from the addition of
67,000 daily vehicle miles traveled in a time when we need to be
reducing VMT in order to comply with climate protection goals. The destruction
of critical habitat areas key for successful adopted and proposed Habitat Management
plans are also a significant impact.
Fire
is one serious concern. Dan Silver, Director of Endangered Habitats League
said, “Experts have shown that this
project cannot be safely evacuated if threatened by a fast-moving wildfire, and
it will endanger the ability of the surrounding community to evacuate as
well. Elected officials need to
prioritize public safety and not create a fire trap.”
is one serious concern. Dan Silver, Director of Endangered Habitats League
said, “Experts have shown that this
project cannot be safely evacuated if threatened by a fast-moving wildfire, and
it will endanger the ability of the surrounding community to evacuate as
well. Elected officials need to
prioritize public safety and not create a fire trap.”
George
Courser, Conservation Chair of the San Diego Sierra Club stated, “This sprawl
project is one of the worst we have seen proposed. This area is more
appropriate as key wildlife habitat for local adopted conservation plans. As
the state burns, we hope the elected officials will search their conscience
before locating more housing in an extreme fire risk area.”
Courser, Conservation Chair of the San Diego Sierra Club stated, “This sprawl
project is one of the worst we have seen proposed. This area is more
appropriate as key wildlife habitat for local adopted conservation plans. As
the state burns, we hope the elected officials will search their conscience
before locating more housing in an extreme fire risk area.”
Speaking
on the relationship of development and climate impacts, Sophie Wolfram of the
Climate Action Campaign stated, “Sprawl
development is one of the key culprits driving the climate crisis. At a time
when we have to be doing everything in our power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
denying this project, which will vastly increase vehicle trips and tailpipe
emissions, is just a no-brainer.”
on the relationship of development and climate impacts, Sophie Wolfram of the
Climate Action Campaign stated, “Sprawl
development is one of the key culprits driving the climate crisis. At a time
when we have to be doing everything in our power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,
denying this project, which will vastly increase vehicle trips and tailpipe
emissions, is just a no-brainer.”
The groups call out the fact
that the change in marketing of an old proposal fails to address the
fundamental concerns. “Safari Highlands Ranch may have a new name but it
remains the embodiment of reckless urban sprawl and the antithesis of Smart Growth.
When we know better, we must do better. Bottom line: Harvest Hills is the Wrong
Plan in the Wrong Place,” said NeySa Ely, President of the San Pasqual Valley Preservation
Alliance, a local community group.
that the change in marketing of an old proposal fails to address the
fundamental concerns. “Safari Highlands Ranch may have a new name but it
remains the embodiment of reckless urban sprawl and the antithesis of Smart Growth.
When we know better, we must do better. Bottom line: Harvest Hills is the Wrong
Plan in the Wrong Place,” said NeySa Ely, President of the San Pasqual Valley Preservation
Alliance, a local community group.
The
organizations signed on to the letter include Sierra Club San Diego, Endangered
Habitats League, San Pasqual Valley Preservation Alliance, Escondido Neighbors
United, Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, Environmental Center of San Diego,
San Diego Audubon Society, Preserve Calavera, San Diego Democrats for Environmental
Action, California Chaparral Institute, Buena Vista Audubon Society, Southwest
Wetlands Interpretive Association, California Native Plant Society, Friends of
Rose Creek, Friends of Agua Hedionda Creek, Escondido Chamber of Citizens,
Endangered Habitats Conservancy, San Diego Coastkeeper, Climate Action
Campaign, North County Climate Action Alliance, The Chaparral Lands
Conservancy, Palomar Audubon Society, and San Diego 350.
organizations signed on to the letter include Sierra Club San Diego, Endangered
Habitats League, San Pasqual Valley Preservation Alliance, Escondido Neighbors
United, Coastal Environmental Rights Foundation, Environmental Center of San Diego,
San Diego Audubon Society, Preserve Calavera, San Diego Democrats for Environmental
Action, California Chaparral Institute, Buena Vista Audubon Society, Southwest
Wetlands Interpretive Association, California Native Plant Society, Friends of
Rose Creek, Friends of Agua Hedionda Creek, Escondido Chamber of Citizens,
Endangered Habitats Conservancy, San Diego Coastkeeper, Climate Action
Campaign, North County Climate Action Alliance, The Chaparral Lands
Conservancy, Palomar Audubon Society, and San Diego 350.
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Environmental Action Meeting, Thursday, November 14, 7:30 PM
North County
Environmental Action Meeting
Thursday, November 14, 2019, 7:30- 9:00 PM
2324 Miller Ave. (Chalice UU Congregation)
Escondido
Come
learn about:
learn about:
- Escondido
Creek restoration - Plans
to OPPOSE Harvest Hills sprawl development - Plans
to SUPPORT more housing density at Palomar Heights - Plans
to SUPPORT a Regional Transportation Plan that protects the climate
Take
action on important
issues
action on important
issues
Join
together with
others.
together with
others.
Sponsored by North County Group of the Sierra Club.
Escondido Neighbors United 