East County News Service
February 22, 2018 (Valley Center) – Like the mythical hydra monster that grows new heads and refuses to die, a revived Environmental Impact Report (EIR) of the proposed and highly controversial Lilac Hills mixed use project in Valley Center has been submitted to the County and is now available for public review starting today. You can view it here: https://www.sandiegocounty.gov/pds/ceqa/LHR_Recirculation_2.html
The project, which includes 903 homes as well as commercial and institutional uses plus open space, has been rejected by voters in the past, also failing to gain approval from Supervisors, due to concerns ranging from traffic congestion and evacuation during fires to environmental concerns. The developer previously attempted to avoid extended environmental review by taking the project directly to voters, who turned down the measure by an overwhelming margin.
Comments on the are due by April 9 and a public meeting will be held March 15 at the Valley Center branch of the County library.
Specifically, the latest reincarnation would include: 90,000 square feet of commercial, office, and retail, including a 50-room country inn; 903 traditional single-family detached homes; 164 single-family attached homes; 211 residential units within a senior citizens neighborhood; facilities and amenities to serve the senior population (including a senior community center, a group care facility, and a memory care facility); and a 2-acre Community Purpose Facilities area that could be comprised of a private recreational facility and civic fire station, with total area of both not to exceed 40,000 square feet. The project also proposes a school site to accomodate K-8 students, public and private parks, and other recreational amenities. Also planned within the project site are a Recycling Facility (RF), a Water Reclamation Facility (WRF), and other supporting infrastructure.
Opponents are fighting back with a planned ballot initiative that would prohibit developers from making end runs around Supervisors and going directly to voters on projects that violate the general plan and have more than five dwelling units, an initiative inspired by the tactics used by the Lilac Hills developer in the past.
Below are more details provided by the County Planning & Development Services Department.
This email is being sent you because you have subscribed to receive updates for the proposed Lilac Hills Ranch project.
This email is an update that the County of San Diego is recirculating for public review a Draft Revised Environmental Impact Report (EIR) in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). The recirculated Draft Revised EIR can be reviewed online here starting February 22, 2018: https://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/pds/ceqa_public_review.html, or at the following physical locations:
- Planning & Development Services Project Processing Counter, 5510 Overland Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
- Valley Center Library, located at 29200 Cole Grade Rd., Valley Center, CA 92082
- Vista Library, located at 700 Eucalyptus Ave., Vista, CA 92084
- Fallbrook Library, located at 124 S. Mission Rd., Fallbrook, CA 92028
Comments on the recirculated Draft Revised EIR must be received no later than April 9, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. (45-day public review period). Comments may be submitted by mail to Planning & Development Services, 5510 Overland Avenue, Suite 310, San Diego, California 92123 attention Mark Slovick or by email to Mark.Slovick@sdcounty.ca.gov. For additional information, please contact Mark Slovick at (858) 495-5172 or by e-mail at Mark.Slovick@sdcounty.ca.gov.
A public meeting will be held on the recirculated Draft Revised EIR on March 15, 2018 at the Valley Center Branch of the San Diego County Library located at 29200 Cole Grade Road, Valley Center, CA 92082 at 6:00 p.m.
