The Santee City Council late last night approved the largest residential development in city history – nearly 1,400 homes to be built at Fanita Ranch. After more than four hours of discussion and public comment, the council unanimously approved the project that will spread across a quarter of the city. Homes long have been envisioned for the 2,600-acre property, though no plan has ever come to fruition. Councilman Hal Ryan said he thought this developer “got it.”
“I think they really did try to get community input,” Ryan said. At least two other projects have been approved over the years. One changed hands between developers and fell apart; voters overturned another. Two-thirds of the speakers addressing the council last night spoke in favor of developing the land, but speakers on both sides were applauded.
More than 150 people crowded the council chambers, some wearing stickers stamped with the word “YES” distributed by the developer. Longtime environmental activist and resident Van Collinsworth was the first to speak against the development, explaining that he wasn't questioning the quality of work by Carlsbad-based developer Barratt American. “I think the issue is, does this project belong in Santee?” Collinsworth said. “And should this land be sacrificed for a subdivision? I think Fanita Ranch is way too valuable an asset ... to be sacrificed for a subdivision.”
Barratt American still would need permits from other state and federal agencies. The earliest construction could begin on the $900 million project is summer 2008. The project would take 10 years to complete. The proposal calls for 1,380 single-family homes built in an arc across the city's north end.
Proponents have argued that the project would bring large, upscale homes to the city and add to the local economy while still preserving more than half the property.
Opponents have criticized the project's footprint, saying it is similar to a failed 1999 plan and would compromise too much native plant and animal habitat. Others have said the city is overwhelmed with traffic and cannot handle the additional cars. A thick environmental impact report prepared by San Diego's PBS&J consulting firm found “significant and unavoidable” effects to the city's air quality and traffic as a result of the project.
The homes would attract an additional 4,000 people to Santee, adding nearly 18,000 car trips a day. To offset that, plans include adding lanes along Cuyamaca Street and Magnolia Avenue, traffic signals at three intersections along Cuyamaca Street and two on-ramps at the Mast Boulevard entrance of state Route 52. Under a proposed development agreement, Barratt American must pay the city an estimated $17 million for new public infrastructure the council would select.
Source: SignOnSanDiego.com