Project/Study overview:
The proposed Sager Ranch land use development application (also referred to at times as Daley Ranch Resort) is located on 207.6 acres of vacant land east of, and contiguous to, the Daley Ranch Open Space Preserve, on the west side of Valley Center Road, in unincorporated San Diego County. The application merges 1783 acres into a single Specific Plan, seeking to transfer the development rights of much of this land to support a proposed 203 residential units in three distinct residential types: custom home sites, detached single-family residences, and courtyard-style single-family homes. Preliminary discussions have also indicated that a resort with amenities would be proposed to be located on approximately 14 acres in the southwest corner of the Project site. It is believed that the resort site would accommodate up to 225 rooms, with access provided by an internal private road system. Hiking trails wander throughout the 207.6-portion of the site, and a staging area (open to the public) would allow for easy access to Daley Ranch, which abuts the project site.
The majority of the improvements described above are on about 60 acres. The remaining areas of the Specific Plan would surrender their development rights, and be placed under conservation easements. This open space would be an important addition to the open space preserve system. Since all of these lands are currently outside of the city limits, but largely within the City's sphere of influence area, the project encompasses an annexation request - and would need to be approved by LAFCO, in addition to the City's decision-makers. As the City reviews the project, and develops an overall planning process schedule, it is acknowledged that there needs to be ample opportunities to collect community input as well as other responsible agencies that are involved in the overall permitting process.
How the City is reviewing the application:
The City regulates the use of land to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the public and to protect neighborhood investment. There are many ways that cities and counties plan, regulate, and implement land use activities, including through a comprehensive plan, called a General Plan, zoning districts and standards, and subdivision codes. Existing area- or site-specific regulations may also be created for a property, including a specific plan. Because the use of land use regulated, the City must review all projects against various federal, state, and local laws before building can be constructed. To ensure that the site specific solutions are implemented for this important area, new draft zoning standards and design guidelines were prepared in the form of a Specific Plan. As proposed by the Project applicant, the Specific Plan consists of new zoning standards and design guidelines, which call for a rural-contemporary aesthetic that helps respond to the surrounding design context and environment. Zoning standards define the allowable uses and bulk or scale of development, while design guidelines address the appearance and quality of development. Therefore, the proposed Specific Plan would guide development of the residential and resort areas.
What is needed from the public:
The project was submitted on March 2, 2018. We are currently seeking out ways to keep the community aware about the project and the planning process. To learn more about the permit-review process, the current status of the Project, or to offer input, please contact Mike Strong, Assistant Planning Director at 760-839-4556 or by email at mstrong@escondido.org.
E-newsletters and Project handouts:
Coming soon. If you would like to be added to the notification list, please contact the staff planner listed above.
Project submittal items/materials, dated March 2, 2018:
Please note that additional items and project materials have been received from the applicant, which are necessary to fully review and study the proposed application. All application materials that have been filed can be viewed at the Planning Division at City Hall, during normal business hours.
Staff reports:
Coming soon
This portion of the Project website documents the latest efforts to keep all participants up to date on what is going on. It highlights key milestones of the City’s review process to keep stakeholders informed of key Project activities throughout the whole Project.
Where we have been:
- March 2, 2018: Applicant filed the project materials with the Planning Division and the City initiated the review of the application.
- March 19, 2018: Project submittal items/materials uploaded online.
- April 3, 2018: City issues a comment/review letter in response to the project submittal (comment letter no. 1)
- April 25, 2018: Additional comments returned to applicant (comment letter no. 1 cont'd, batch no. 2)
What's next:
- Iterative resubmittals and/or intermittent review. Please note that all resubmittals will be posted online.
- Submission of an Initial Study to determine what type of environmental document is needed to analyze the environmental impacts of the project.
- Environmental review and public outreach, review, and comment periods.
- City staff develops a recommendation on the Project and prepares public notices and staff report(s).
- Decision making process, including public hearings with the Planning Commission and City Council.
- LAFCO public review process permitting with respective responsible agencies.
Media coverage:
Following are links to information pertaining to the project:
- October 12, 2011 City Council Project Initiation Staff Report
- October 12, 2011 City Council PowerPoint Presentation
- July 13, 2017 (D. Ross) Valley Roadrunner News Article. Proposal would put signal light in middle of VC.
- October 4, 2017 (D. Ross) Times Advocate. City of Escondido begins process of Daley Ranch Resort.
- March 6, 2018 (J. Harry Jones) San Diego Tribune. Daley Ranch Resort Plans submitted to City.