San Diego Museum Month
It’s back! San Diego Museum Month returns on February 1 with Macy’s and 70 local library partners. The California Center for the Arts Museum and other museums throughout San Diego County are offering half-priced admission with the San Diego Museum Month Pass! Pick up your pass at San Diego County Macy’s and participating San Diego area libraries including our very own Escondido Public Library, during the month of February. For more information visit:https://sandiegomuseumcouncil.org/specials/museum-month/
SDG&E’s La Honda and Lincoln Replacement Project – Pipeline Safety Enhancement Plan
On December 20, San Diego Gas and Electric Company (SDG&E) began construction on the La Honda and Lincoln Replacement Project in the City of Escondido and County of San Diego.
The natural gas pipeline safety project will install 1.6 miles of 1949-vintage pipe near Daley Ranch along La Honda Drive, El Norte Parkway, and will end along Lincoln Avenue at Midway Drive.
Over the next several weeks to several months, construction crews will be working along La Honda Drive. Construction work zones for pipe installation will typically be approximately 1,000 feet long. On an average day, about 120 feet of pipe will be installed in the trench.
Traffic control will be set up and flaggers present during these activities. Residents and businesses along La Honda Drive will have in and out access during this time. Noise associated with this work will be minimized to the extent feasible. Every consideration will be made to ensure safety vehicles have immediate access and evacuation routes will remain open to all residents in the event of an emergency.
For more information visit SDG&E at:https://www.sdge.com/major-projects/major-projects-pipeline-safety-enhancement-plan
General Plan Amendment – Housing Element Update
At the end of 2021, City staff kicked off the 2022 General Plan Amendment to update the City’s Community Protection Chapter of the General Plan and creation of an environmental justice element. These updates are a concurrent work effort with the finalization of the City’s 6thCycle Housing Element Update. The 2022 General Plan Amendment’s webpage is now live, providing information on where we are in the process, who to contact with questions/comments, and resources on the general plan amendment process. For more details visit:https://www.escondido.org/2022-general-plan-amendment
Choose You Launches for Incoming EUHSD Freshman
Did you know Escondido students can choose any one of the district’s high schools? Now is the time for eighth graders to make their choices. The district’s Choose You program allows students and their families to learn more about the special programs offered at each campus, with a focus on AVID, Career and Technical Education, and electives. Students and their families are invited to explore their options by visiting the Choose You website:
https://sites.google.com/euhsd.org/chooseyou.
BY THE NUMBERS
Business License:
Code Compliance:
|
Total Code Cases (Year to Date)
|
57
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Public Works:
Graffiti Restitution:
|
Collected Last Week
|
Collected Year to Date
|
|
$0
|
$50
|
POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
ASTREA’S Assistance
On January 19, officers responded to a single vehicle collision. A witness watched the solo driver flee the scene on foot. ASTREA was in the area and units formed a quick perimeter to locate the suspect. With ASTREA’s assistance, the suspect was detained a short distance away. It was also learned that the vehicle had just been stolen.
Aerial Support to Regional Enforcement Agencies (ASTREA)is the aviation unit of San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. ASTREA is based at Gillespie Field in El Cajon. It operates a fleet of seven helicopters with night vision and infrared capabilities. ASTREA is a dynamic team of 26 deputies, pilots, tactical flight officers, mechanics, and support staff.
Fatal Collision Involving Motorcycle
On January 20, Escondido Police Dispatch received a report of a motorcycle crash on West Valley Parkway near 9thAvenue. The motorcyclist had been traveling at a high rate of speed when the rider lost control and collided with a streetlight and a utility box. Tragically, the motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA), motorcyclists are about 29 times more likely than people in passenger cars to die in a traffic crash.
Tesla Sparks Fire
On January 21, an Escondido resident attempted to plug in and charge his Tesla. The battery system sparked and caught fire and quickly engulfed his mobile home. The fire was successfully extinguished by Escondido Firefighters and no one was injured.
Community Resources:
Anonymous Tip Line: 760-743-8477 (TIPS)
Crime Data/Mapping:https://www.crimemapping.com/
Helicopter Announcement Transcription:
Call 858-866-4356or 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
Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722
December Abandoned Vehicle Data
FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
On January 21, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a fire in the area of the 900 block of Howard Ave. A large smoke column was seen from a distance and a working structure fire upgrade was requested. The first arriving engine Captain reported a double-wide mobile home with heavy fire and smoke coming from the structure.
Containment and control of the fire were achieved in approximately 60 minutes. Crews were on scene for several hours performing salvage, over hall and ensuring that the fire was completely extinguished. Several factors challenged firefighters; a solar system with large amounts of Lithium Ion batteries were involved requiring a Hazardous Materials response as well as a broken natural gas main.
Five fire engines, one ladder truck, two rescue ambulances, and two Chief Officers responded to the fire. Assistance was provided by the Escondido Police, San Marcos Fire Department, San Diego Fire Department Hazardous Materials Team, and the San Diego County Hazardous Materials Unit. The cause of the fire is under investigation. There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians during the incident.
On January 22, Firefighters responded to a vehicle accident on the interchange of Eastbound Highway 78 and Southbound I-15. Multiple vehicles were involved requiring the interchange to be shut down for a period of time. Several patients were treated on scene and transported to Palomar Hospital.
On January 22, the Escondido Police and Fire Communication Center received a report of a fire in a home at 522 West 2nd Ave (across the street from Mi Guadalajara restaurant). A smoke column was seen from a distance and a working structure fire upgrade was requested. The first arriving Captain reported small unoccupied home well involved with fire with arcing powerlines and another building threatened on the east side of the home.
Firefighters contained the fire to the home in approximately 10minutes and were on scene for about two hours ensuring that the fire was completely extinguished. SDG&E was requested to secure the powerlines. Four fire engines, one ladder truck, one rescue ambulance, and two Chief Officers responded to the fire. Assistance was provided by Escondido Police and the San Marcos Fire Department.
Approximately 30 minutes after firefighters cleared the scene, another fire was reported at the same location. The first arriving Captain reported that the home was fully involved in fire. The second fire was contained and controlled within 20 minutes.
At the time of the fires, the home was unoccupied and boarded up. The causes of both fires at this home are under investigation and arson is suspected. Anyone with information about these fires is encouraged to contact Escondido Police Department's arson detective at 760 839-4776.
There were no injuries to firefighters or civilians during the incidents.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING
Permits and Inspections:
Building Division:
1.The counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 109 applicants, processed 45 applications, and issued 50 permits
2.The total permit valuation for the week was $4,866,152
3.Building inspectors completed 196 inspections
Field Engineering Division:
1.Field Engineering processed 7 permits
2.Filed Engineering inspectors completed 52 inspections
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 Development Project Dashboard
A short overview video of the Dashboard features can be watched here.
To learn about previous applications for residential and commercial development permits, please visit the Development Project Information Archive page or contact the Planning Division.
