SANTEE, Calif. (KGTV) -- Following hours of public comment and discussion, the Santee City Council approved a massive housing development that has been in the works for decades.
Late Wednesday evening, the council voted 4-1 in favor of the Fanita Ranch project. The development was first proposed in 1999 and has gone through several revisions.
The project includes nearly 3,000 new homes, as well as plans for a school, parks, and open space. Changes to state Route 52 are also a part of the plan.
The development will be located north of SR-52, west of Eucalyptus Hills, off Magnolia Avenue and Cuyamaca Street.
Fanita Ranch supporters have argued that more homes are needed in the area, but opponents believe the project would create a traffic problem, especially during an emergency situation like a wildfire. Noise and environment-related concerns have also been raised.
The developers, HomeFed Corporation, said they have solutions for many of the issues brought up by project opponents, including evacuation routes in the event of an emergency.
HomeFed also said the project would bring more jobs and revenue to the city of Santee.
The project would be completed in four phases and would be finished in 10-15 years.
Prior to the vote, some Santee residents asked the council to table the issue and allow them to have a vote on the land use with Measure N on the November ballot.
