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Planning Commission approves Shadow Run Ranch

The San Diego County Planning Commission approved the Shadow Run Ranch development in western Pauma Valley.

The May 15 planning commission meeting was held by teleconference so the official approval vote was 6-0 because computer issues prevented Michael Seiler from voting, but Seiler expressed support for the project.

Shadow Ranch Run LLC has proposed to subdivide approximately 265 acres into 44 residential lots along with a recreational open space lot, an agricultural open space lot and a biological open space lot.

The planning commission’s approval included a tentative parcel map, a major use permit and boundary adjustments to allow all of a residential or open space lot to be within the same parcel.

An application for the project was submitted in August 2000 and originally included 46 residential units, but issues involving the environmental impact report and access onto state Route 76 resulted in delays. Because the application was submitted before August 2003, it was evaluated under the general plan in effect at the time rather than the updated general plan approved in August 2011. The property has A70 Limited Agriculture zoning.

Even after slope and other environmental restrictions the zoning allows for 53 dwelling units. Because the average slope is 23.6%, it is not subject to four-acre minimum lot sizes and lots as small as 2 acres are allowed.

The land currently consisting of nine legal parcels, which will become 47 lots after the final map is recorded, is approximately 3 miles east of Pala Casino, although the property is on the north side of Route 76 and the casino is on the south side of Route 76, and approximately 8 1/2 miles east of Interstate 15.

It is approximately 700 feet north of the San Luis Rey River. The elevation of the property ranges from approximately 740 feet above sea level to approximately 1,600 feet above sea level, and the 3 1/2-acre irrigation reservoir is at approximately 1,080 feet above sea level. Currently the site has approximately 154 acres of citrus, avocados, pomegranates and persimmons in cultivation. Groundwater wells complement the irrigation system. The existing buildings include a residence, a caretaker’s house and agricultural structures.

The agricultural open space lot which will be operated by the homeowners association is be 39.1 acres, and the residential lots will range from 2.0 to 7.35 acres, which will allow for continued grove operations. The minimum lot size for the homes along Route 76 will be 2.74 acres.

The irrigation system supplied by groundwater from on-site wells will provide irrigation water for the residential lots, although in the future the project will be annexed to the Yuima Municipal Water District, the San Diego County Water Authority and the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California so that imported potable water can serve the residences themselves.

The biological open space lot will measure 91.3 acres, and the recreational open space lot will be 7.96 acres. The project will include 2,000 feet of public trail along Route 76 and 12,500 feet of pathways and trails on-site. The major use permit will cover the recreational lot and the reservoir.

Owners of the individual residential lots will have the option of having their groves managed by the homeowners' association, managing the agricultural use themselves or discontinuing agricultural activity. The agricultural manager hired by the homeowners association will also be responsible for managing and maintaining the irrigation system.

The homeowners association will also manage the recreational lot which will include the 3.5-acre irrigation reservoir as well as a volleyball court, a tennis court, play equipment, a picnic area, a parking lot and walking paths. The recreational lot other than the irrigation reservoir will be for day use only and will be closed and locked between sunset and sunrise. No night lighting will be provided.

The public trail will be inside the 100-foot visual buffer along Route 76 but will be outside the California Department of Transportation right of way. The on-site trails will be 8 feet in width and consist of decomposed granite pathways. Agricultural groves will screen the homes from Route 76 motorists.

The project entrance will be Hass Grove Lane. Intersection improvements will be made at Hass Grove Lane and Route 76 and along Adams Drive and Route 76. Hass Grove Lane will be approximately 1,350 feet west of Adams Drive.

The paved width along the Shadow Run Ranch project frontage will allow for 12-foot eastbound and westbound lanes, a center turn lane and an eight-foot shoulder.

A second access point to Adams Drive will be provided from the internal streets Hass View Way and Fig Tree Bend. Although Adams Drive is a private road, the Shadow Run Ranch development will improve the portion between Fig Tree Bend and Route 76 to a paved width of 24 feet and will also realign the intersection of Route 76 and Adams Drive so that the two roads will be at a 90-degree angle.

The paved width of Route 76 just east of Adams Drive will be increased to allow for right turns onto Adams Drive and a better North County Transit District bus stop.

The land is currently within the San Diego County Regional Fire Authority service area. The closest fire station is the Rincon station approximately 4.8 miles to the east, and that station is staffed 24 hours a day. The total response time from the fire station is less than nine minutes. Shadow Run Ranch will be required to install potable water lines and hydrants to meet a minimum flow of 2,500 gallons per minute.

Each residential lot will have an on-site septic system. A photovoltaic energy system with at least a 2.85-kilowatt capacity will be installed on each residence.

In July 2014, the Pala-Pauma Community Sponsor Group voted 5-0 with one abstention to recommend approval of the project with conditions. The revised version of the project was brought to the sponsor group in April 2019, and a 6-0 vote recommended approval with conditions. Those conditions have been addressed.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].

Author Bio

Joe Naiman, Writer

Joe Naiman has been writing for the Village News since 2001

 

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