Happy New Year, Escondido!

As the new year kicks off, here are ways you can interact with the City and stay informed:

• See something that needs to be fixed? To report potholes, graffiti, and discarded debris, use ReportIt!
• You can pay your utility bill and apply for a business license or permit utilizing our Online Services
• Curious about what is being built around town? To see up-to-date major project updates, visit the Major Projects Dashboard
• Never miss a class register for recreation classes and leagues using our Online Registration

Winter and Spring Escondido Recreation Guide

The Escondido Winter and Spring Recreation Guide is now online! This issue covers January - April. The interactive guide features youth activities, tennis classes, adult leagues, educational programs and much more. Browse the guide and register.

 

 

 

Public Works Holiday Drive

The City of Escondido's Public Works Department has enjoyed a long-standing tradition of celebrating the holidays with Rose Elementary School.

The connection and appreciation of the community we serve gives us pride to help these children have a brighter holiday by purchasing presents, food and gift cards for the hard-working students and parents of Rose Elementary.

This year, the Public Works Department provided enough holiday cheer to buy gifts for 20 families, helping make their winter break even more enjoyable for these amazing families! In return, the nationally recognized Ignite Dancers of Rose Elementary treated us to an incredible dance performance that really brought the house down. Thank you to Rose Elementary staff, parents and students for the opportunity to focus on the true spirit of the season!

 

BY THE NUMBERS

 

Code Compliance:

Total Code Cases (Year to Date)

25

 

Graffiti Restitution:

 

 

BUSINESS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT UPDATES:

 

Escondido Business News

Developers Needed for Senior Affordable Housing Development in Escondido County News Center

Couple relocates flooring company to Escondido Escondido Times-Advocate

Escondido Chocolate Festival "A Tasting Affair" to be held Feb. 10 Escondido Times-Advocate

San Diego Reiki Opens Two New Locations In Del Mar and Escondido- Newswires

North County board game convention returns for ninth year The Coast News Group

Escondido arts will "see red" with new exhibition this February The Coast News

Mira Mesa woodworker pays tribute to the late Rosalynn Carter in Escondido art show CBS 8

San Diego Zoo Safari Park adds new water tank for wildfire aid Fox 5

San Diego North County EDC Free Webinar - 2024 Tax Webinar with Magnus Blue

Join SDNEDC's annual FREE webinar on tax changes and planning on Thursday, February 1, which is offered to all North County businesses. With experts from Magnus Blue, this hour-long webinar will address key topics including:

changes to the research and development expenses,

bonus depreciation,

new ownership reporting, and more.

 

5th Annual Excellence in North County Economic Development Awards

Mayor Dane White accepted an award on behalf of the City of Escondido and Fresh Brewed Tech for the Escondido AgX Hackathon at the North County Economic Development Award Ceremony.

The Escondido AgX Startup Hackathon is a collaboration between Fresh Brewed Tech and the City of Escondido with the primary goal of fostering innovation and promoting economic development within the agriculture and technology sectors. The event brings together entrepreneurs, technologists, farmers, economic developers and other stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to address local agriculture challenges in a post-COVID-19 world. Winning companies for the event are entitled to cash and in-kind prizes, including incubation at the new Aquillius BioTech Incubator.

The next Escondido AgX Startup Hackathon is scheduled for March 7 through March 9. Secure your ticket to gather with hundreds of Entrepreneurs, Farmers, Investors, Scientists, Students All together to turn innovative ideas into businesses!

Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Resources

Are You Looking for Assistance with Your Small Business?

Discover the range of San Diego and Imperial Valley SBDC services provided to assist you in starting, growing, and succeeding with your small business. Services offered span topics including accounting, marketing, human resources, technology security, manufacturing, distribution, and finance.

Request for Assistance from SBDC Follow the link to request assistance from the San Diego SBDC Network. You will be contacted within the next 1-2 business days.

 

Free Online Business Training Topics

 

Funding Forum: 1/16/2024 from 11 a.m. to noon

Build Customer Loyalty with Excellent Customer Service: 1/17/2024 from 9 - 11 a.m.

Business Owner's Guide to the Internet: 1/17/2024 from 2 - 3 p.m.

Doing Business with Military Exchanges: 1/17/20124 from 9 - 11 a.m.

HR 2024: New Rules for the New Year: 1/17/2024 from 4 - 5 p.m.

Office Hours - Legal w/ Dentons @ Connect: 1/17/2024 from 10 a.m. - noon

You Have a Brilliant Business Idea, Now what?: 1/17/2024 from 9 a.m. - noon

A.I. Series Module 3: Faster and More Effective Social Media Marketing with AI (Artificial Intelligence): 1/18/2024 from 4 - 6 p.m.

City of Escondido Economic Development Contacts

Request a Meeting with Our Team

Thinking about starting a business? Already have a business and need additional support? Have a property and looking for tenants or starting improvements? Reach out and we can help you navigate City and community resources to achieve your goals.

The Economic Development Team are always available to help with questions or connecting you to the right resources. Do not hesitate to reach out!

Subscribe to our Business News and Insights Email Newsletter!

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Review

On June 7, 2023 the Escondido City Council approved the 2023-2028 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). This document outlines data and community feedback about the City's economy and outlines a five-year plan to improve the local economy.

Let's dive into the SWOT section of the CEDS:

Downtown Infrastructure: Escondido's Downtown Specific Plan (DSP) is the fulcrum of an extensive redevelopment effort in the heart of the City. Initially adopted in 2013 and most recently amended in 2021, the plan provides the regulatory framework for a downtown district that will house and host more people. It directly responds to the City's housing shortage by designating high density areas, permitted to hold up to 100 dwelling units per acre, and emphasizing mixed land uses that can generate housing, employment, and sales tax revenue on the same site. Mixed-use zoning is conducive to more walking and cycling, which the plan also supports with human-scale design elements.

The DSP's goal is already being realized via the Grand Avenue Vision Project, an eight-block redevelopment that is paving the main thoroughfare, widening sidewalks, hanging streetlights, and making permanent the outdoor dining areas that were popular during the pandemic. At the east end of Grand Avenue, the 13.8-acre Palomar Heights planned community is being built. The project will add 510 new homes and 6,000 square feet of retail space to the heart of downtown.

This progress notwithstanding, the DSP's Density Transfer Program may yet have the biggest impact on downtown redevelopment. That provision enables developers to transfer unused residential density permissions on one downtown project to another. This should persuade developers to build sooner than they would without the program. Under normal circumstances, a developer may be reluctant to make an early investment when the market might not support fully allowable densities. The program allows the developer to compensate for lower densities on early projects with larger projects later. It also gives them an incentive to make multiple investments in the area.

POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

Thieves Caught

On New Years Eve, Escondido Police Officers went to a man's house to take a report of stolen tools. Before officers could arrive, the man drove by a car wash where he saw people with what he believed were his stolen tools. Officers arrived and were able to retrieve the tools. A neighbor was able to positively identify the suspects and two males went to jail.

 

More Holiday Cheer

On January 4, Dick's Sporting Goods in Escondido invited ten PAL participants to do some shopping with an officer. Each child received a $150.00 gift card to shop. Some went a little over the limit, but the officers were prepared to give the kids a little extra in those cases. Special thanks to Dick's Sporting Goods for making this happen. Also, thanks to the EPD Officers who took time out of their day to make a special day for these children. Some of the officers had worked all night and some were on their day off.

PAL also handed out a PAL scholarship to a former PAL participant John Velez who will graduate from UCLA in June. It was truly a great day.

Community Resources

Anonymous Tip Line: 760-743-8477 (TIPS)

Crime Data/Mapping: https://www.crimemapping.com/

Helicopter Announcement Transcription:

Call 858-866-4356 or text "Hello" to 858-866-4356

Megan's Law Information: https://www.meganslaw.ca.gov/

Mental Health & Crisis Intervention:

Access and Crisis Line: 888-724-7240

It's Up to Us Campaign: www.Up2sd.org

Get Connected. Get Help: Dial 211

National Drug Helpline: https://drughelpline.org/contact/ or call 844-289-0879

Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722

 

FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:

On December 17, Fire crews were dispatched to a reported traffic accident at E. Valley Parkway and Bear Valley Parkway. Escondido Police were first on scene to find a pickup truck that rolled over with the male occupant trapped inside. Firefighters utilized hydraulic tools (Jaws of Life) to remove the occupant.

Also, on December 17, Fire crews were dispatched to a vegetation fire behind Bob's Discount Furniture Store. On scene, crews discovered the fire started in an encampment and spread to the brush and trees nearby. Due to the location of the fire in the easement, Truck 131 was utilized to gain access, extinguish the fire and overhaul the area. No injuries or damage to structures were reported.

On December 18, Fire crews were dispatched to assist Metro units at a structure fire in San Pasqual Valley near Bandy Canyon Road. As the scope of the incident grew, Escondido Firefighters assisted in a defensive fire operation. The structure was totally destroyed, however, spread to adjacent vegetation and agricultural fields was prevented. No injuries were sustained.

On December 22, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received reports of a residential structure fire located at Escondido Terrace Mobile Home Park. The first arriving units, upon further investigation, found the residence to be charged with smoke and a small amount of fire coming from an electrical outlet. Aggressive action by the firefighters located, contained, and controlled the fire activity in about 15 minutes from time of dispatch. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters.

Also, on December 22, Fire Dispatch received a relay call from CHP regarding a vehicle rollover with the driver ejected around West Valley Pkwy and the southbound I-15 onramp entrance. Upon arrival, in an area with heavy vehicle traffic, one patient was found in the middle of westbound Valley Pkwy being attended to by a CHP officer and a bystander, with the actual vehicle more than 100 feet away across the busy intersection. Fire Units, along with CHP, quickly arrived and began patient care, scene assessment, and timely traffic control. Miraculously, the patient/driver was alive. Great job by Escondido Police and responding Fire crews in stabilizing a very chaotic and congested scene.

On Christmas Day, around midnight Fire crews were dispatched to a vehicle fire in front of Skyline Recycling on Quince. Crews arrived on scene to find a small SUV fully involved. Aggressive action by the firefighters extinguished and overhauled the vehicle. No injuries or nearby structures were damaged.

On New Year's Eve, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received reports of a multi-residential structure fire located at the Reidy Creek Apartments. Responding units observed smoke showing from the area and a working fire upgrade was added for additional resources. The first arriving engine confirmed heavy smoke from fire activity showing from the indicated apartment unit. Aggressive action by the firefighters located and contained the fire in about 14 minutes from time of dispatch. There were no injuries to civilians or firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

On January 1, Fire crews were dispatched to a traffic collision on the onramp to WB SR78 from SB CCP. The first arriving Engine Company found a single pick-up truck that left the roadway and struck multiple trees trapping the driver in the vehicle. Truck 131 was requested to remove the driver. Firefighters used hydraulic cutters and spreaders to remove the door of the vehicle and free the driver.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING

Permits and Inspections:

 

Building Division:

1. The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 41 applicants, processed 46 applications, and issued 41 permits.
2. The total permit valuation for the week was $914,852.00
3. Building inspectors completed 147 inspections.

Field Engineering Division:

1. Field Engineering processed 17 permits

2. Field Engineering inspectors completed 34 inspections

3. Field Engineering active 310 permits

Development and Capital Projects Update:

Curious what's happening with development projects around the City? The link below directs to an interactive dashboard of projects currently in various stages of the development process. Browse project descriptions, see locations on the map, browse photos and more.

City of Escondido Project Dashboard

To learn about previous applications for residential and commercial development permits, please visit the Development Project Information Archive page or contact the Planning Division.