Protect Rural Escondido

Protecting Rural Escondido Together: Our rural neighborhoods are worth protecting. But we cannot do it alone. For generations, the rural communities surrounding the city of Escondido have offered something increasingly difficult to find in Southern California: room to breathe. Larger lots. Open space. Abundant wildlife. Old growth trees for migrating birds. Horses and farm animals, and dark starry skies. Quiet neighborhoods where people raise families and enjoy calling their call home for decades. This defines our community character and our way of life. Today, residents of unincorporated Escondido are facing a proposed annexation and development that could dramatically change that character - and we need your help. Why Protect Rural Escondido Was Formed Protect Rural Escondido is a grassroots community advocacy group formed by neighbors concerned about proposed annexation of unincorporated County land into the City of Escondido that could experience significant increases in zoning of residential neighborhoods and infiltration of commercial land uses that could negatively impact the San Pasqual Valley. The immediate area at risk includes the rural neighborhoods surrounding Birch and Idaho avenues, Park Hill, San Pasqual Valley Road and Southeast Escondido. A current proposal would develop 140 two-story homes on approximately 17 acres between Birch and Idaho avenues - land that is currently in unincorporated San Diego County (currently zoned for 34 homes). But this is about much more than 140 homes. Annexation and rezoning decisions made today could establish a path for much greater urbanization of surrounding rural unincorporated areas tomorrow. In addition, the developer is known to own the 10-acre Idaho Avenue parcel directly south of the Birch Avenue site, and city planning documents suggest the potential for significantly increased density if annexation proceeds - including higher-intensity residential uses such as apartments or dense condominium-style development similar to projects along S. Center City Parkway. The same developer also holds another 22-acre parcel (2510 Summit Drive) in a similar unincorporated “county island” condition, which could be among the first areas negatively affected by the Birch/Idaho Avenue annexation decisions under LAFCO review. Together, these holdings raise broader concerns that a single project may be part of a larger pattern of incremental urbanization across multiple rural parcels. That is why residents are asking important questions about annexation, zoning, infrastructure, sewer service, traffic, wildfire evacuation, public safety, environmental impacts and preservation of community character. We want to be very clear: Protect Rural Escondido is not against housing. 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. Why We Need a CEQA and Land-Use Attorney - Now! 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. Protect Rural Escondido is raising funds to retain an experienced California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and land-use attorney. We need professional legal guidance to help residents understand and participate effectively in the complex government processes ahead - including environmental review, land-use and zoning decisions, annexation proceedings and the public's rights throughout those processes. Professional representation will also help us identify the right questions to ask, understand technical documents and ensure community concerns are properly raised and preserved during the formal review process. This is why your contribution matters right now. Transparency Matters Residents should not have to become professional planners or land-use attorneys simply to understand what may happen across the street from their homes. We believe people deserve to know: -What is being proposed? -What zoning and density changes are being considered? -What will annexation mean for existing residents and neighboring properties? -Can existing roads and infrastructure safely accommodate additional development? -How will wildfire evacuation, emergency access, traffic and environmental impacts be evaluated? -And are residents being given a meaningful opportunity to participate before major decisions are made? We believe tax payers should be readily assisted by public agencies on how to have meaningful engagement. Protect Rural Escondido is calling for transparency, meaningful community engagement and responsible planning. A Community Is Already Standing Together Residents have signed petitions, attended meetings, spoken before public agencies, researched documents, placed yard signs in their neighborhoods and contributed countless volunteer hours. We are deeply grateful to the Founding Partners, Founding Members and community supporters who have already stepped forward. Now we're asking more of our neighbors to join us. Where Your Contribution Will Go Our immediate fundraising priority is retaining qualified CEQA and land-use legal counsel. Funds may also support related professional and community advocacy expenses, including: • CEQA and land-use legal counsel • Review of environmental and planning documents • Annexation and zoning research • Technical and professional analysis • Public records and document review • Community education and outreach • Public notices, informational materials and other advocacy expenses We will work to use these resources responsibly and keep our community informed as this process moves forward, and create a database and toolkit that can be used by other communities. This Is Bigger Than One Property 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? We believe planning should recognize the character of existing communities rather than treating undeveloped land as though the surrounding neighborhood does not exist. We believe infrastructure should be part of the conversation before substantial increases in density are approved. We believe government should be transparent. And, we believe residents deserve a meaningful seat at the table. Please Stand With Us 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: -Share this fundraiser. -Follow Protect Rural Escondido on social media. -Sign up to receive important project updates and community action alerts. -Talk to your neighbors and sign up to volunteer. -Attend public meetings. -Make your voice heard. This is a defining moment for our community. Every resident has a stake in what happens next. Together, we can preserve rural community character, demand transparency and advocate for thoughtful, balanced planning that respects both existing neighborhoods and Escondido's future. Stand up for community character. Stand up for the wildlife and our way of life. Stand up for transparency. Stand up for balanced planning. Protect Rural Escondido: Advancing informed planning that protects quality of life. 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.