Planning Commission recommends renovation and expansion of Vista Valley Country Club clubhouse

The San Diego County Planning Commission has recommended a Major Use Permit modification and Specific Plan Amendment which will allow for the renovation and expansion of the clubhouse at the Vista Valley Country Club.

While the Planning Commission normally has the authority to modify a major use permit, the Vista Valley Country Club is in a specific plan area and any specific plan amendment must be approved by the San Diego County board of supervisors, so the

planning commission’s decision is only a recommendation. The planning commission voted 5-0 November 13 to recommend the modification, with Adam Day absent and David Pallinger abstaining on conflict of interest grounds because of his nearby residence.

The actions also include approval of an addendum to the Supplemental Environmental Impact Report which was certified in 1984.

If approved by county supervisors, the major use permit modification and specific plan amendment would add a partial additional story to the clubhouse and increase the square footage to approximately 39,200 square feet. The modifications would not increase the capacity of the golf course or the food and beverage services, nor would they increase the existing golf club and social membership limits. The current major use permit and specific plan limit the clubhouse area to approximately 17,000 square feet.

The additional amenities would include enlarged locker rooms along with enhancements to the pro shop, restrooms and snack bar. New amenities would include massage rooms, steam saunas, exercise rooms, a spa room and laundry facilities. The proposed specific plan amendment also includes provisions for a partial third story to the clubhouse structure, and the upper level would include a mechanical room. All areas of the clubhouse would be renovated and the exterior architecture would be altered to a Tuscan theme.

In September 1978, the planning commission approved a major use permit for the operation of an 18-hole golf course, a driving range, four tennis courts, a 17,000 square foot clubhouse, parking and other golf course related amenities. Later that month, the Board of Supervisors adopted a specific plan for the golf course portion only, and in January 1979, the county supervisors adopted a specific plan which added the residential component.

The original specific plan covered 429 acres comprised of 243 acres for single-family residential lots, 150 acres for the golf course and country club and for other open space use and 36 acres for roads. In November 1979, the planning commission approved a major use permit modification which permitted immediate use of the golf course and allowed placement of a mobile home for use as a temporary pro shop.

In April 1980, the county supervisors amended the specific plan to modify certain conditions. In September 1980, the Planning Commission approved a major use permit modification which omitted conditions involving certain road improvements. In October 1980, the Board of Supervisors modified certain specific plan conditions relating to off-site improvements.

In October 1984, the board of supervisors amended the specific plan to modify the configuration and location for the various land uses and to provide for an increase in the overall residential density. The specific plan now covers 414.4 acres consisting of 173.0 acres for 37 estate lots, 50.5 acres for 128 clustered lots, 125 acres for the golf course, 0.3 acres for the recreation center, 51.0 acres for six open space lots and 15.1 acres for streets.

During their September 2008 meeting, the Bonsall Sponsor Group voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the changes.