June 24, 2021
City Manager, Jeffrey Epp Retires
The City of Escondido is saying farewell to City Manager, Jeffrey Epp as he retires at the end of June. We would like to thank him for his 36 years of dedicated service to our City and community. Jeffrey Epp started working for the City of Escondido in August of 1985 as a legal intern. He was appointed as City Attorney in 1996, and in July 2017 he was asked to become the City Manager. Over the last 35+ years, he has served under 8 different mayors and 22 councilmembers. Last week, the City Council proclaimed June 28, 2021, Jeffrey R. Epp Day. Enjoy your retirement, Jeff!
Escondido Alley Art
There is new art in Downtown Escondido! Esco Alley Art was unveiled on Saturday, June 12 as part of this month's Second Saturday. The alley is located between Grand and 2nd Avenue and Broadway and Maple Street.
The project is made up of local artists and organized by the Escondido Art Association and the Downtown Business Association. More art will continue to be added to this outdoor exhibit in the coming months. Check them out during your next visit downtown, or during Cruisin' Grand. Read more in the San Diego Union Tribune article .
Escondido, Report It!
The Report It! app provides a free and simple way to report community problems such as graffiti, potholes, water violations, shopping carts and more directly to City staff.
A picture is worth a thousand words and Report It! makes it a snap. Download it from your phone's app store today.
If you do not have a smartphone, you can report an issue to the City Manager's Office by calling 760-839-4631.
BY THE NUMBERS
Business License:
Code Enforcement:
Total Code Cases (Year to Date)
|
929
|
Public Works:
Graffiti Restitution:
Collected Past Week
|
Collected Year to Date
|
$80
|
$9,018.20
|
POLICE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
When Escondido resident Eli Zamora was getting ready to turn 9 years old, his mother Monica was looking for something special. Eli is autistic and he is fascinated with the police, trash trucks, and other city functions. Officers from the Escondido Police, CHP, and drivers from Escondido Disposal rallied together to help Eli celebrate a birthday he will never forget. Congratulations Eli and we're happy we could brighten your special 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
- Non-Emergency Line: 760-839-4722
Events:
On June 18, officers conducted a DUI Checkpoint at Valley Pkwy and Avenida Del Diablo. The results are as follows:
- 644 Vehicles were screened through the checkpoint
- 10 Traffic Citations were issued for unlicensed driver or suspended license
*This detail was made possible by grant funding from the California Office of Traffic Safety.
May Abandoned Vehicle Data
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & ENGINEERING
Building Permits and Inspections
1. Counter staff conducted in-person meetings with 150 applicants, processed 89 applications, and issued 106 permits.
2. The total permit valuation for the week was $20,186,014.
3. Building inspectors completed 293 building inspections.
Development and Capital Projects Update:
Curious what's happening with development projects around the City? See below for milestone activities that have happened since last week. Skip to the bottom of this section for a list of projects that are in progress but do not have an update this week. To learn about previous applications for residential and commercial development permits, please visit the Development Project Information Archive page or contact the Planning Division.
Commercial / Office / Industrial:
1. Interfaith Recuperative Care Facility/Hotel - (Developer: Interfaith) 555 North Center City Parkway - Conversion of the existing lodging facility (America's Best Value Inn) and construction of improvements to establish a residential care facility designed to provide a variety of transient stays for at-risk individuals, homeless, etc. The Conditional Use Permit was approved by the Zoning Administrator on May 25, 2021. Grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans are currently under review.
2. Medical Office Building West on the Palomar Health Hospital Campus (MOB-West, Developer Palomar Pomerado Health) - A three-story medical office/outpatient facility of approximately 72,000 square feet. Approval for design review was issued by the Planning Division on January 17, 2013. The applicant recently requested some changes to the zoning permits and a substantial conformance determination was approved March 5, 2021. Grading and building permits are currently under review.
3. ERTC/Palomar Health Parking Structure (Developer: McCarthur Construction). An application request was received on October 21, 2020 to build 1,906 parking spaces at the new hospital campus. The proposed parking garage is six stories. Approval for design review was issued by the Planning Division on April 4, 2021. Grading and building permits are currently under review.
Residential:
4. Oak Creek (Builder: KB Homes) - A 65 single-family home development on approximately 44 acres at Felicita Road and Hamilton Lane. City Council approved the project on March 4, 2015 and a map extension was approved by the Planning Commission on April 18, 2018. 45 building permits were issued this week. Construction is underway.
5. Conway Drive Subdivision (Developer: Conway Stanley Properties, LLC) - This project is a 41-lot subdivision on the west side of Conway Drive, both north and south of Stanley Place. The project would include 40 single-family homes and seven affordable condominium units. The application was submitted on June 3, 2021, and is currently under review by staff.
6. Palomar Heights (Developer: Ninia Hammond, Integral Communities) - An approved land use development application consisting of the demolition and redevelopment of the old Palomar Hospital site with 510 multi-family units with 10,000 square feet of commercial. This project was approved by City Council on February 10, 2021. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans. The City approved a design review submittal on June 11, 2021, addressing some of the project's conditions requiring architectural building design changes. The City is currently reviewing demolition plans to remove the existing structures from the premises.
7. Del Prado (Developer: California West Communities) 2329 South Centre Parkway - A 113-unit townhome-style Planned Development located at the southwestern corner of Brotherton Road and the Centre City Parkway frontage road. The City Council approved this project on May 11, 2016. Building plans were submitted on May 20, 2021. The Final Map was approved by the City Council on May 26, 2021 and has recorded with the County Clerk. Rough grading of the site has been completed and building plans are currently under review.
8. Warmington (Developer: Warmington Residential California, Inc.) - A 62 air-space condominium development, consisting of 10, three-story buildings located in the Southern Entry District of the South Centre City Specific Plan at 2200 S. Escondido Boulevard. The project was approved by the Planning Commission on March 23, 2021. The Planning Commission is the final decision-maker for the project. Grading and building plans are under review by the City.
9. Habitat for Humanity 10-Unit Condominium Development (Developer: San Diego Habitat for Humanity) - A 10-unit development at 245 E. El Norte Parkway. All units will be for sale to low-income households. This project was approved by City Council on February 10, 2021. Grading and building plans are currently under review.
10. North Avenue Estates (Developer: Casey Johnson) - A 34 single-family home development at North Avenue/Conway Drive. The project was approved by the City Council on January 10, 2018. Grading is currently underway on the site.
11. Apollo Residential Care (NOAA Group) - An assisted living and memory care facility, with 78 units accommodating 99 beds at 3141 East Valley Parkway. The project was approved on January 14, 2020. The applicant has requested to add approximately 3,000 square feet of common space (no new units or beds), which is currently under review by the Planning Division.
City Projects or Other Capital Improvement Projects:
12. Membrane Filtration and Reverse Osmosis ("MFRO") Facility - The MFRO will treat a portion of the City's existing recycled water supply from the Hale Avenue Resource Recovery Facility and blend it with recycled water that has not been treated by the MFRO process to produce water with a salt concentration appropriate for agricultural irrigation. The blended water will then be pumped to agricultural users. The MFRO Facility will provide highâquality water that is low in total dissolved solids and chlorides to high-water-demand agricultural growers who serve a vital role in the City's economy. The location at 901 W. Washington Avenue was approved on April 3, 2019. The contractor, Filanc Brown & Caldwell Joint Venture, submitted building permits on March 9, 2021 and has received comments/corrections. Grading plans were approved on June 2, 2021 and the demolition of small structures on site began this week. Building plans have been resubmitted and are currently being reviewed by the City.
Ongoing Projects - No Updates This Week:
Projects that do not have any changes or updates this week will be listed here to indicate that they're still in progress. When an update occurs, the project will appear above in the Development and Capital Projects section.
Commercial / Office / Industrial:
13. Carvana - (Developer: Jo Ryan, Carvana) 559 N. Hale Avenue - A vending machine car dealership, consisting of 5,800 square feet within an eight-tier glass and steel tower structure up to 75 feet in height. The project was approved by the City Council on August 23, 2020. Construction is underway and can be seen on the east side of Interstate 15.
14. Meyers Avenue Industrial (Developer: OnPoint Development) - 68,900 square foot industrial building on an existing 4.95 acre vacant lot located at 2351 Meyers Avenue. The application was originally submitted in November, 2020, and is currently in the entitlement process.
15. Mercedes Benz Expansion - (Developer: Jody Stout, Integrity Design and Construction) 1101 W. 9th Avenue - A Master and Precise Plan modification to demo the existing dealership showroom and construct a new showroom, office, parts storage and service building. The project is still in the entitlement phase; however, the applicant is completing final revisions to the project materials in response to City comments. It is anticipated that this project will be reviewed and considered by the Planning Commission at a meeting in July.
16. Raising Cane's Restaurant - (Developer: Ada Fermin, PM Design Group) 1280 W. Valley Parkway - A 3,744 square foot drive-through restaurant located on the east side of the southbound off-ramp on W. Valley Parkway. The project was approved by the Planning Commission on July 14, 2020, and is now under construction.
17. 7-Eleven Gas and Convenience Store - (Developer: Golcheh Group) 900 W. Mission Ave. - A 4,000 square foot convenience store with eight fuel dispenser pumps on the northeastern corner of Mission/Rock Springs. The project was approved by the City Council on January 13, 2021. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.
18. Solaris Business Park Annexation - (Developer Whalen and Associates) 657 N. Country Club Lane - A four-lot, light-industrial and medical office complex on approximately 45 acres of land, just northwest of the Palomar Medical Center. The annexation will be processed as a new specific plan. The application is still in the entitlement phase. It is anticipated that an Environmental Impact Report will be prepared for this project.
Residential:
19. Henry Ranch (Builder: Joe Martin, Trumark Homes) - A 97 single-family home development on 74.35 acres at the eastern terminus of Lincoln Avenue. The City Council approved this project on December 13, 2006 and the project is now under construction. The developer, Trumark, has nearly completed onsite water, storm drain and sewer utilities and is working on pedestrian ramps and sidewalks. Model homes are now open to the public, and the contractor is now focusing on new home construction.
20. The IVY (Applicant: Howard Blackson, AVRP Studios) - The project, located on the corner of Second Avenue and North Ivy Street, was originally approved in 2019 with 127 units and a small commercial space, including 24 units allocated from the City's Density Transfer Program and density bonus units for the provision of several affordable housing units. The current application consists of a request for a modification to the approved project and would include 126 affordable residential units and potentially a child care facility in-lieu of the commercial space. The current request was submitted in January, 2021, is currently in the entitlement process.
21. The Villages at Escondido Country Club (Builder: Lennar Homes) 380 residences located on the former golf course off of Country Club Lane, north of El Norte Parkway. The project was approved by City Council on November 15, 2017 and the project is now under construction.
Villages I - Work has started on the fitness center in the commercial village.
Village II - Rough grading is nearing completion.
Village III - Rough grading is nearing completion. The contractor is installing a new sewer manhole and main line at the intersection of La Brea and Country Club along with private water and sewer lines. In track curb and gutter have started to be placed.
22. Quince Street Senior Housing (Developer: Matt Jumper, 220 Quince, L.P.) 145 apartment units at 220 N. Quince Street - The five-story affordable senior housing apartment project was submitted on November 21, 2017. The City Council approved the project on October 23, 2019. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission of and approval grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans. Building plans were submitted on May 10, 2021. Plan check review was completed last week. City staff will coordinate a building plan check resubmittal with the applicant.
23. Jack's Creek TR 951 and SUB 17-0026 - (Developer New Pointe Development). An approved 12-lot, single-family residential subdivision on 3.31 acres. The site is located at the westerly terminus of Jack's Creek Road, north of El Norte Parkway, addressed as 640 Oakwood Creek Glen, formally 2888 E. Washington Avenue. The project was approved by the Planning Commission on November 13, 2007 and an extension of time was approved on September 12, 2017. The developer recently started construction on the final six homes.
24. Casa Mercado Apartments (Developer: Paul Mayer, Pemcor) - A four-story, 120-unit apartment complex on 2.31 acres on Second Avenue and Pine Street. The City Council approved the project at its May 12, 2021 meeting. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.
25. North Iris Residential Development (Developer: Hallmark Communities) - An application for a Master and Precise Development Plan and Tentative Map for 102 condominiums at the southeast corner of North Iris Lane and Robin Hill Lane. The project is still in the entitlement phase. The initial application was submitted on March 11, 2021. The City completed its review and issued a comment letter on April 9, 2021, regarding the completeness of the application (i.e. notice of incomplete application).
26. Canterbury Gardens Apartment Project (Developer: Kensington Canterbury Gardens, LLC) - A Plot Plan application was submitted on January 26, 2021, for the development of an apartment project at 2402 South Escondido Boulevard (the site of the Canterbury Gardens retail store). The project proposes to demolish the existing structures on the site, and construct 44 townhome-style, market-rate rental units. Units will range in size from 1,028 to 1,254 square feet, will be three stories in height, and will have two to three bedrooms. The project is still in the entitlement phase.
27. Villa Portofino - (Developer: Chris Post, ATC Design Group) 15 apartment units in a three-story building with parking garage at 2690 S. Escondido Blvd. The project is still in the entitlement phase.
28. Hacienda De Vega Redevelopment - (Developer: Tony Cassolato) An approved proposed residential condominium development consisting of 42 three-story attached townhomes on 1.75 acres. The project was approved by the City Council on October 21, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.
29. Sager Ranch/Daley Ranch Resort Specific Plan (Developer: J. Whalen Associates, Inc., Sager Ranch Partners) - 203 housing units and 225-room resort hotel on 1,783-acres, just north and east of Daley Ranch. The project is still in the entitlement phase and was deemed an incomplete application. A project webpage containing draft documents and plans can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.escondido.org/daley-ranch-resort-specific-plan.aspx
30. Fig Apartments (Developer Claude Marengo) - A 15-unit, three-story, multi-family residential apartment complex on 0.59 acres. The project is still in the entitlement phase.
31. Reed Road Assisted Living Facility (2525 Reed LLC) - A new residential care facility is proposed on a 4.2-acre site on 2525 Reed Road. The project is still in the entitlement phase.
32. East Valley Parkway Apartments (Developer: John Wurster) - A 50-unit mixed use affordable apartment complex consisting of four stories situated on a 21,000 square foot vacant parcel on the corner of E. Valley Parkway and Ivy Street. The project is still in the entitlement phase.
33. Nutmeg Condo General Plan Amendment (Developer: Jim Simmons, CCI) - A 137-unit townhome condo project, located on both sides of Nutmeg between I-15 and Centre City Parkway. The first phase of the project was approved by the City Council on November 20, 2019. The second phase was approved by the City Council on November 18, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of grading, landscaping, street improvement, and building plans.
34. Harvest Hills, (Developer: Concordia Homes) - 550 residential subdivision, east of Rancho San Pasqual. A project webpage including draft documents and plans can be accessed at the following link:
https://www.escondido.org/safari-highlands-ranch-specific-plan.aspx
City Projects or Other Capital Improvement Projects:
35. Lake Wohlford Replacement Dam - the project involves a new dam downstream (west) of the existing dam and partial deconstruction of the existing dam. The replacement dam would feature an outlet tower that is integrated into the dam's upstream face; the top of the existing outlet tower would be demolished, and the bottom of the existing outlet tower and the outlet pipe would be filled with sand and abandoned in place. The project would entail improvement and extension of an existing unpaved access road located west of the Lake Wohlford Marina, extending it to the right (north) abutment of the replacement dam. The project's EIR was certified on August 23, 2020. The next step for the project's implementation involves the submission and approval of permits and agreements by the wildlife agencies. In order to obtain environmental permits for construction, the City must prepare upstream restoration and mitigation plans, short-term and long-term habitat management plans, a watershed evaluation, perform field protocol surveys, and update the Jurisdictional Wetland Delineation survey.
36. Grand Avenue Vision Project - The Grand Avenue Vision Project is a proposed streetscape improvement project for Escondido's historic downtown aimed at improving walkability and creating a pedestrian-friendly environment. The project would narrow Grand Avenue to one lane in each direction, provide wider sidewalks and additional parking opportunities via diagonal parking, and remove center medians. The project would also include the installation of curb bulb-outs at intersections and installation of three round-abouts (at Maple Street, Broadway, and Kalmia Street). Wayfinding signs and ornamental lighting are proposed, and there would be opportunities for public art. This will be a phased project that will occur over several years as funding becomes available. A Mitigated Negative Declaration has been prepared and is out for public review. The first phase is anticipated to begin construction in the fall of 2021.
37. School and Traffic Safety Projects - Each year the Traffic Commission prioritizes and funds traffic safety projects focused on improving pedestrian and vehicle safety. Projects are nominated by each School District, COMPACT, residents and staff. This year four priority projects were completed, including crosswalk improvements at Oak Hill and Citrus, crosswalk improvements on Lincoln Avenue near Pioneer Elementary, pedestrian countdown timers at five intersections and an Audible Pedestrian Signal at El Norte and Centre City Parkway that serves the sight impaired.
38. Spruce Street/Transit Center Pedestrian Bridge Project - The City Council approved a Partial Notice of Completion for areas 2 and 3 on February 10, 2021, which ends the construction contract on the storm drain channel between Grand and Valley and between Spruce and Third Avenue. Those sections will now be maintained by Public Works as part of the City's storm drain system. The earthen portion between Grand and Valley will also have a contractor maintaining the plantings in that area as required by the environmental permits for the project.
39. Creek Trail Crossing - The final design for the Creek Trail Crossings project that improves all seven Creek Trail intersections between Juniper and Citrus was approved. Improvements include a signal at Midway and rapid flashing beacons with bulb-outs, where the roadway width permits, at other locations. The project also fills in sidewalk gaps along Citrus and Midway. It is anticipated that construction will begin by late summer.
40. Citracado Parkway Extension - The project will extend Citracado Parkway between Andreasen and Harmony Grove Village Road, including a bridge over the Escondido Creek in the western portion of the City. In February, the Public Utilities Commission approved the relocation of electric transmission facilities necessary for the project. SDG&E has ordered the steel poles necessary for the relocation and expects to begin electric facility relocation in June. Bid and award of the actual road project is anticipated this summer with construction beginning in fall 2021 and completing in early 2023.
41. Escondido Entry Monument Signs - Stone veneer installation has been completed for all three entry signs. When completed the project will consist of three new signs that will be placed at Grand Avenue near the Gateway Center, Via Rancho Parkway at Sunset Drive, and El Norte Parkway near Woodland Parkway.
42. Juniper Elementary Safe Routes to School Project - The purpose for this project is to provide missing portions of sidewalk, curb and gutter, and Class II bicycle lanes along Juniper Street creating a continuous, separated pedestrian path way near Juniper Elementary and provide Safe Routes to School information at Juniper, Oak Hill, and Central Elementary Schools. This project also involves modification of traffic signals at Juniper Street & Felicita Avenue and Escondido Boulevard & Felicita Avenue. The start of construction is estimated to be summer 2022.
43. Escondido Creek Trail - In 2020 the City was awarded $8.5 million from the California Department of Parks & Recreation through the Proposition 68 Parks and Water Bond Act of 2018 to improve approximately 4.5 miles of the existing Escondido Creek Trail (between Harmony Grove Road and Midway Drive) and add approximately 0.4 miles of new bicycle path (between Harmony Grove Road and the Citracado Parkway extension) to the linear park. This project will create a double-sided trail on approximately 1.7 miles; on one side will be the existing Class I bicycle path, on the other will be a new DG trail. After stakeholder meetings and community workshops in 2020, 60% construction drawings are complete. Design review of the construction drawings will be conducted by the Planning Commission, tentatively scheduled for July 13, 2021. It is anticipated that construction would start in winter 2021.
44. Washington Park Skate Spot - 501 N. Rose. The City recently awarded this project bid to Geocon Skateparks. When completed, the 7000-sf skate spot will be a new urban skate spot with multiple features including a quarter pipe, pump bump, grind edge, banked hip with rail and a 5-sided pyramid. Bid award was made by the City Council on April 21, 2021. Construction has started for this project.
45. Storm Drain Pipe Lining and Rehabilitation Project Phase II - The Contractor is continuing to clean and make repairs to the storm drain flow line. The work consists of storm drain cleaning, inspection, CCTV, repairing and grouting voids, point repairs, grouting existing flow line, cured in place pipe lining, storm drain structure floor repairs, post CCTV and inspection, and overall rehabilitation of existing corrugated metal pipe storm drain systems. Contract work for this project has been completed. Notice of Completion will be presented to the City Council within the next few weeks.
46. SDG&E 16" Gas Main Replacement - In January 2019, the CPUC's Safety Enforcement Division approved SDG&E's test or replace plan for Line 1600, a 16-inch natural gas transmission pipeline which was not strength tested in 1949 when it was constructed. This next phase of PSEP projects will include 19 separate projects that will take place in the cities of San Diego, Escondido and Poway, as well as the County of San Diego. Approximately 5.4 miles of replacement and 2.7 miles of strength testing are expected to occur in Escondido from 2020-2024. Main line construction has been completed. SDG&E will start the hydro testing the new main line. Once completed the contractor will focus on the preparation of the tie-ins. Notification to the public will be made prior to the tie-in activities. Construction is scheduled to conclude in July 2021.
47. 2021 Street Rehabilitation and Maintenance Projects Phase I (Concrete and Tree Removal and Replacement) - This year's work will be in the North West Zone, which is bordered by Broadway to the east, State Route 78 to the south and City limits to the north and west. The scope of work will include the removal and replacement of over 30,000 square feet of concrete sidewalks, driveways and cross gutters. 52 pedestrian ramps will be upgraded to current standards and approximately 50 new trees will be planted. Work has started in the Escondido Hills area with tree removal, removing and replacing damaged concrete sidewalks, driveways, curb and gutters. Phase II of the Street Maintenance Project will focus on street repair and rehabilitation. Currently, work is continuing with the tree removal and the removal and replacement of sidewalk, pedestrian ramps, curb and gutter.
48. Multi Neighborhood Street Light L.E.D. retrofit Project Phase II - This project generally consists of the removal of approximately 725 non-LED street light fixtures and safety light fixtures, and the replacement with specified L.E.D. street light fixtures and L.E.D. safety light fixtures at various locations within the City of Escondido. The contractor is continuing to retro fit the new LED lights and has moved to the South East Zone, west of Midway Drive. The project was recently completed and a Notice of Completion will be presented to the City Council within the next couple of weeks.
FIRE DEPARTMENT UPDATES:
On June 19, the Escondido Police and Fire Emergency Communications Center received reports of a structure fire at the Bekins Pack and Crate on N. Quince Street. At the same time, citizens alerted firefighters at Fire Station 1 of the fire. Firefighters found a working fire in a metal storage building located on the north side of the property which contained large quantities of clothing and other household items. The fire was contained in approximately 40 minutes. Firefighters remained on the scene performing overhaul operations for another hour. Escondido Police Department Officers assisted with traffic control and interviewing of witnesses. Assistance was provided by San Marcos Fire Department. No civilians or firefighters were injured during the incident and the cause of the fire is under investigation.
On June 19, firefighters were dispatched to a traffic collision on Bear Valley Parkway near Kit Carson Park where a motorcycle had struck a passenger vehicle at a high rate of speed. Two patients were transported to Palomar Medical Center with critical injuries.
On June 19, Brush Engine 133 was deployed to assist CAL FIRE with fires in the County including the Clevenger Fire near Ramona on June 20. The crew was released back home on June 21.
Escondido Fire submitted a grant application to the California Fire Foundation requesting funding in the amount of $13,705 to purchase additional single layer wildland firefighting PPE.