General Plan Update Delayed Again—Until February

The public and county staff will have another two months to consider a draft of the complex document that outlines the plan for infrastructure, housing, safety, mobility and environmental conservation in San Diego county—the General Plan 2020. Discussion of the update of the General Plan was postponed Wednesday until the Board of Supervisors meeting Feb. 9.

One speaker from the audience implored the board not to approve the plan just to get it over and done with.

"I don't think we're close to being finished," County Supervisor Ron Roberts said. "I think the public should have more clarity." He was referring to the complexity of the planning documents and how difficult they can be to follow.  There have been several incarnations of the draft General Plan 2020 documents—including a staff map, a referral map from the Board of Supervisors and one proposed by the Planning Commission.

People from various communities presented their concerns about proposed density changes, lack of water and threats to agriculture and community character.

A man from Ramona urged adoption of the draft staff plan and rejection of the referral plan.

Marlene Baird of Escondido spoke against high density. "Growth must be contiguous and compatible with existing communities," she said.

A speaker from the Crosby Estates, near Rancho Santa Fe, said he is completely opposed to downzoning because of potential erosion of land values, and he asked who was tracking these possible financial impacts.

Supervisors stated their concerns too.

"I don't think there's anyone on this panel who isn't concerned about agriculture," County Supervisor Ron Roberts said. "It's over a billion-dollar industry in this county."

Supervisor Bill Horn pointed out that the recession could affect planning and how it all plays out.

"I want to make sure the facts we're planning with here are in reality," Horn said.

He also said, "The county shouldn't be the final say on planning. I think property owners should be. One thing I'll do as chairman next year is to do a list of resources in the county to see how much water we have."

The Board of Supervisors hearings on the General Plan update began Oct. 20 and another hearing was held Nov. 10.

In closing Wednesday, Supervisor Diane Jacob said, "We adopted a set of guidelines and we also have some parameters within those guidelines. When staff comes back would they let us know about individual properties—are they within the guidelines—so the Board can decide—do we have to make changes?