ESCONDIDO, Calif. (KGTV) - Supporters of Newland Sierra, a large housing development north of Escondido, launched their effort to rally voter support Friday at a press conference outside the Registrar of Voters.
The project would build 2,135 homes on unincorporated land next to I-15 along Deer Springs Road. The design includes amenitites such as new parks and hiking trails, while touting that it preserves 60% of the land as open space. Newland also points out green innovations, such as solar panels on every home and electric car plug-ins in every garage. Most importantly, supporters say the homes are desperately needed to support families in North County.
Opponents say the massive development would change the rural character of the area. They argue that traffic would be unbearable along Deer Springs Road and that evacuating during a wildfire would be dangerously slow. Newland counters that it will expand Deer Springs Road and that it includes a state-of-the-art fire plan. "We'll still have our country feeling, but it's nice to have a safer road," said Corrie Lott, a neighbor who supports the porject.
Opposition is led by the neighboring Golden Door resort. "The developer stands to make more than a billion dollars, and the vast majority of homes will require a six figure salary to afford," said a spokesperson in a statement to 10News.
