Pass: 228,775 / 70.7% Yes votes ...... 94,866 / 29.3% No votes

See Also: Index of all Propositions

Summary:

This proposition amends ordinance number O-18568 (Proposition M of 1998) by removing the restriction on developing more than 1,900 dwelling units in Pacific Highlands Ranch until the completion of the SR-56/I-5 Interchange Project. This proposition also adds additional language that limits development until the City Council approves a program for phased development and approves a revised public facilities financing plan for Pacific Highlands Ranch.

Fiscal Impact:

Expenses incurred to prepare a program of phased development and revisions to the Pacific Highlands Ranch Public Facilities Financing Plan will be borne by the Pacific Highlands Ranch Facilities Benefit Assessment, which is funded by builder/developer fees. There will be no costs to City taxpayers as a result of this ballot measure.

Impartial Analysis from City Attorney

In a special election held November 3, 1998, voters approved Proposition M, a measure that allowed the development of a community now known as Pacific Highlands Ranch, subject to certain conditions. One of the conditions was that only 1,900 dwelling units could be built until ramps for westbound State Route 56 connecting with I-5 North, and for I-5 South connecting with eastbound State Route 56 (the SR-56/I-5 Interchange), were completed. The restriction had been requested by a neighboring community planning group because of its concern that traffic from Pacific Highlands Ranch would significantly impact surrounding communities.

Pacific Highlands Ranch is now approaching 1,900 dwelling units, but completion of the SR-56/I-5 Interchange, a Caltrans project, is not anticipated until at least 2020. Caltrans reports that when the community is fully built, Pacific Highlands Ranch will contribute 10 percent of the traffic using the future I-5/SR-56 Interchange, while the Carmel Valley planning area as a whole is projected to contribute 18 percent of the traffic.

Community amenities in Pacific Highlands Ranch are funded by Facilities Benefit Assessments (FBA), which are assessed against developers when building permits are issued. Building community amenities requires FBA funds, and the City cannot collect additional FBA funds for amenities in Pacific Highlands Ranch until after the SR-56/I-5 Interchange is complete. Planned schools, neighborhood parks, a community park, bike and pedestrian trails, a recreation center, and a public library that are all part of the community plan cannot be funded and built at this time.

This ballot measure would accomplish this change by amending Proposition M, which imposed the restriction of development to 1,900 dwelling units until the SR-56/I-5 Interchange was complete. This ballot measure removes references to the connection between the 1,900 dwelling unit limit and the completion of the SR-56/I-5 Interchange. This ballot measure would provide that development of more than 1,900 dwelling units can proceed once the City Council both approves a program to phase development in Pacific Highlands Ranch, and revises the Public Facilities Financing Plan for that community. These actions would be funded through the FBA program, based on fees paid by developers. The program for phased development would restrict building permits from being issued until the completion of community amenities and public facilities, consistent with thresholds established in the City's General Plan. The revised Public Facilities Financing Plan would be incorporated into the phased development program for Pacific Highlands Ranch.

San Diego U-T

• Low-key Prop. C would expedite amenities in north San Diego development - 10/11/10

Yes on Prop C for Responsible Neighborhood Planning

Official web site for Yes on Prop C

No arguments against Proposition C were found