The San Diego region is grappling with a significant housing and affordability crisis, yet new developments are increasingly facing scrutiny due to the looming effects of climate change and extreme weather.
A recent legal settlement has paved the way for a substantial 450-acre development in southeastern San Diego County, which will include up to 2,750 new housing units, as well as a fire station and elementary school.
This settlement represents a critical step forward for a Southern California developer and environmental advocacy groups, who had initiated a lawsuit in 2020.
Concerns surrounding wildlife, greenhouse gas emissions, and fire safety prompted legal action from these groups, expressing their desire to ensure environmental protection.
Hailed as a compromise beneficial to all parties, this agreement presents an opportunity for more housing to be constructed on a smaller footprint, thereby minimizing environmental impacts and reducing the risk of wildfire ignition.
Key provisions of the settlement include the implementation of fire surveillance systems and the installation of exterior sprinkler systems on the properties.
The proposed site is located just north of where the Border 2 fire recently burned more than 6,600 acres, fueled by dry and windy conditions.
This event has raised vital questions about development practices at a time when global leaders are wrestling with climate change, which has contributed to increasingly warmer, drier conditions and prolonged fire seasons, as identified by national climate studies.
“Considering fossil fuel emissions continue to set the planet ablaze, I don’t think anyone knows if the risk reduction measures are sufficient for the long-term,” expressed Van Collinsworth, director of Preserve Wild Santee and a participant in the settlement.
Collinsworth, despite his reservations, acknowledged satisfaction with the resolution, noting the unique advantages the area offers in terms of wildfire prevention and firefighting capabilities, including its proximity to the Lower Otay Reservoir.
The developer, Baldwin & Sons, has agreed to incorporate feasible risk reduction measures into the settlement for the site.
In 2020, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors had already approved the project, known as Otay Ranch Village 13, within a region historically affected by wildfires.
This decision eventually led to a coalition of environmental nonprofits, backed by the California Attorney General, filing a lawsuit under the state’s environmental law to challenge the location of thousands of new residents in this fire-prone area.
The recently concluded settlement reduces the development footprint by 40% and introduces 300 acres of open space dedicated to habitat preservation.
Additionally, the agreement creates an opportunity for the developer to apply for hundreds more housing units than were initially proposed.
Key requirements imposed on the developer include achieving a net-zero energy design for all single-family residential and commercial buildings and ensuring that all structures are fully electric.
Furthermore, the developer is obligated to contribute at least $15 million towards local greenhouse gas mitigation efforts.
“For future development projects in California, we just shouldn’t be pushing new, low-density developments into wildfire-prone areas,” stated Peter Broderick, senior attorney and legal director for the Urban Wildlands Program at the Center for Biological Diversity, another party involved in the lawsuit.
However, he acknowledged that the mitigation measures included in this settlement enhance the project compared to the original county approval.
The development is still several years away from breaking ground, as it will first undergo the necessary permitting and planning processes.
The developer anticipates that it could take up to three years before construction begins.
Importantly, the new proposal must receive approval from San Diego County to proceed.
Supervisor Joel Anderson, a Republican representing this area since January 2021, opted not to comment on the matter.
“We’re grateful that we will be able to achieve our housing goals while delivering a village that provides additional preservation of environmental resources and is built to standards that address the realities of climate change,” said Nick Lee, CEO of Baldwin & Sons.
He expressed hope that this development could serve as a model for balancing the region’s housing needs with responsible environmental stewardship.
In a statement that celebrated the settlement, Attorney General Rob Bonta emphasized the necessity of considering wildfire risks when planning future developments.
“From Los Angeles to San Diego, we are seeing devastating wildfires ravaging our communities right before our eyes.
We can no longer ignore the realities of climate change,” he declared, highlighting that this settlement aims to align environmental protection with the need for housing, ultimately fostering more resilient and sustainable homes while addressing wildfire risks.
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