A group of local officials and business and labor leaders launched a campaign Friday in support of a March 2020 ballot measure that would spur the development of more than 2,000 homes in North County.
A voter approval of the “better choice” measure would affirm the county Board of Supervisors’ September 2018 vote to approve the Newland Sierra housing project, which would result in the development of 2,135 homes, 81,000 square feet of commercial space, a six-acre school site, 35.87 acres of public and private parks, 19.2 miles of multi-use community trails and 1,209 acres of open space.
In December, the board voted unanimously to place an initiative for Newland Sierra on the March 3, 2020, ballot after opponents of the development collected roughly 117,000 signatures of north county residents who didn’t want the project to proceed.
The board’s initial vote in favor of the project also required amendments to the county’s general plan, which residents balked at. Opponents also stressed concerns regarding wildfire danger, noise pollution, crowded schools and increased vehicle traffic.
Local officials supporting the project include San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Jerry Sanders, Deputy Sheriff’s Association of San Diego County President David Leonhard, and Laborers Local 89 Business Manager and Secretary-Treasurer Val Macedo.
–City News Service