B - Newland Sierra Amendments to the San Diego County General Plan

Summary

A "YES" vote would be a vote in favor of approving the Newland Sierra amendment to the San Diego County General Plan. The Newland Sierra plan involves the creation of a new large home development northwest of Escondido along Interstate 15, which would include the addition of 2,135 homes, 81,000 feet of commercial space, a school site, and parks, trails, an equestrian staging area, and over 1,200 acres of open space. A "YES" vote would support that development.

A "NO" vote would be a vote in opposition to approving the Newland Sierra amendment to the San Diego County General Plan. The Newland Sierra plan involves the creation of a new large home development northwest of Escondido along Interstate 15, which would include the addition of 2,135 homes, 81,000 feet of commercial space, a school site, and parks, trails, an equestrian staging area, and over 1,200 acres of open space. A "NO" vote would reject that development.

Arguments

"And one point can’t be made enough about the Newland Sierra proposal. Kill it, and the general plan would allow for 2 million square feet of offices, retail stores and parking, but only 99 homes, on site. 'Allowing for far more homes ... isn’t just an amendment to the county general plan,' we wrote in 2018. 'It’s an improvement.' That remains true today. California, very much including San Diego County, urgently needs much more housing. The editorial board recommends a yes on Measure B.", in support of B (Learn more)

"People who live in the 18 cities in San Diego should be furious about this plan. At a time when cities are struggling to develop and implement affordable housing and climate action plans for their localities, the county has bailed on both efforts. Newland Sierra was able to get away with putting no affordable housing guarantees in the project approvals because the county has no affordable housing ordinance — literally no requirement. That leaves cities — and city taxpayers — doing more than their fair share of the work to solve our housing crisis.", in opposition to B (Learn more)

"Residents of Deer Springs Oaks, funded by the nearby Golden Door Spa, have been making the case to voters that Measure B will make a bad traffic situation worse and create a dangerous trap in a wildfire zone. But they also worry that the project could have a more direct impact on their homes. The building of Newland Sierra would require the widening of Deer Springs Road, as well as changes to the nearby interchange with I-15. While Newland Sierra developers say these will not affect the mobile home park, the residents say they are not getting any guarantees from Newland Sierra, the County, or CalTrans.", in opposition to B (Learn more)

"'San Diego is suffering from a severe housing crisis,' said Kenneth Moore, spokesman for Yes on Measure B. 'And unfortunately the people that are hurt most by this severe housing crisis are working families in San Diego County.' The housing development is being opposed by owners of the Golden Door Resort which promises visitors privacy, serenity and light. 'We can’t let narrow special interests of a $10,000 a week luxury spa take precedence over affordably priced housing for working families,' Moore said.", in support of B (Learn more)

"Those against the project say the covenant touted by Newland Sierra is a sham and cannot be enforced by anyone, but the developers themselves. They say the development does not actually include affordable housing.", in opposition to B (Learn more)

""By voting yes on Measure B, also known as the Better Choice measure, you will also be saying yes to: San Diego County’s first carbon-neutral community where every home will be powered by the sun and every garage will be equipped with an electric-vehicle charging station. An electric shuttle bus will also deliver residents to the nearby Escondido Transit Center where they can connect to the region’s bus and light-rail system. 1,200 acres of permanent open space, which represents more than 60% of the entire property. 36 acres of public parks. $56 million in privately funded traffic improvements, which will also fix the existing traffic problems on Deer Springs Road. $19 million for local schools. A fire safety plan that has been approved by the very firefighters and others who are responsible for your protection — Cal Fire firefighters, the Deer Springs Fire Protection District and the San Diego County fire marshal. A legally binding covenant filed with San Diego County as a deed restriction that will give home-buying preference to first-responders and teachers for 500 of the 2,135 homes that are planned. In total, 62% of all homes — over 1,300 units — will be attainably priced."", in support of B (Learn more)

Measure Details