11/30/2017
For those unable to attend the ECCHO meeting last night, three key facts were admitted by ECCHO President Mike Slater: (1) A lawsuit WILL NOT prevent development from happening on the golf course property. When asked what a “win” would look like in a legal challenge, Slater admitted that, even if successful, suing the City would simply require the City to modify the EIR and then construction could begin. It is all just a delay tactic. (2) with new State density bonus laws, at least 500 homes could legally be built on the property. (3) Suing the City puts taxpayers at risk and diverts important City resources.
What do we gain by pursuing this delay strategy? A lawsuit results in no meaningful change to the project, puts millions of taxpayer dollars at risk, results in years of additional uncertainty for our entire community and continues to depress property values for everyone. Plus, we put everyone at risk of getting a new low income housing plan with 500+ units, as is allowed by law. Oh, and by the way, ECCHO needs $100,000 from our neighborhood to fund the lawsuit against…..ourselves and other Escondido taxpayers.
This simply doesn’t make any sense.
We need to deal with the hazardous condition of the clubhouse. We cannot accept this as the centerpiece of our neighborhood. If there is no lawsuit, New Urban West will purchase the property and begin work immediately to address the health and safety issues posed by the charred clubhouse and other fire dangers presented by the old golf course. Having worked with New Urban West closely for nearly two years, we know they will be a good neighbor. Pursuing delays only keeps the current property owner in the driver’s seat.
As we have said many times before, it is time to move forward. Let’s make this plan the best it can possibly be and focus on healing and coming together -- not pursuing divisive legal action that harms our property community and City.
