<div>Protecting Rural Escondido Together: Our rural neighborhoods are worth protecting. But we cannot do it alone.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We want to be very clear: Protect Rural Escondido is not against housing.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We support balanced, responsible growth that considers the capacity of roads, sewer, water, emergency services and other infrastructure - and respects the people and communities already here. There is a place for housing and thoughtful development. But transforming rural neighborhoods through annexation of pockets of land and substantial density increases deserves careful public scrutiny, meaningful environmental review and an open, transparent process. Growth and preservation do not have to be opposing goals.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Protect Rural Escondido is raising funds to retain an experienced California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and land-use attorney. Our neighbors have done an extraordinary amount of work ourselves. We've researched public records, attended government meetings, studied planning documents, organized residents, circulated petitions, spoken publicly and asked questions. But we have reached a point where community volunteers cannot do this alone. 
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Transparency Matters: Protect Rural Escondido is calling for transparency, meaningful community engagement and responsible planning.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We believe people deserve to know:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>-What is being proposed?
</div>
<div>-What zoning and density changes are being considered?
</div>
<div>-What will annexation mean for existing residents and neighboring properties?
</div>
<div>-Can existing roads and infrastructure safely accommodate additional development?
</div>
<div>-How will wildfire evacuation, emergency access, traffic and environmental impacts be evaluated?
</div>
<div>-And are residents being given a meaningful opportunity to participate before major decisions are made?
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>We believe taxpayers should be readily assisted by public agencies on how to have meaningful engagement throughout the public engagement and review process.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>This Is Bigger Than One Property
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>What happens at Birch and Idaho avenues matters to people beyond Birch and Idaho. It raises a larger question for all county unincorporated Escondido: How should our rural communities grow - and who gets a voice in deciding their future?
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>-We believe planning should recognize the character of existing communities rather than treating undeveloped land as though the surrounding neighborhood does not exist.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>-We believe infrastructure should be part of the conversation before substantial increases in density are approved.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>-We believe government should be transparent.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>-And, we believe residents deserve a meaningful seat at the table.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Please Stand with Us
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Every contribution helps us move closer to obtaining the professional representation our community needs. Whether you contribute $25, $50, $100, $500 or more, you are helping residents build the resources necessary to participate effectively in decisions that may shape this community for generations. If you cannot contribute financially, you can still make an enormous difference:
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>-Share this fundraiser.
</div>
<div>-Follow Protect Rural Escondido on social media.
</div>
<div>-Sign up to receive important project updates and community action alerts.
</div>
<div>-Talk to your neighbors and sign up to volunteer.
</div>
<div>-Attend public meetings.
</div>
<div>-Make your voice heard.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Protect Rural Escondido: Advancing informed planning that protects quality of life.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>
<div>Protect Rural Escondido is currently a grassroots community advocacy group. Funds raised will support legal, technical, research, outreach and advocacy expenses related to our mission. Contributions are not currently tax-deductible.
</div>
<div><br />
</div>

Protecting Rural Escondido Together

Still $11,900 to go. Help us build momentum.