Inland edition 8 1 14

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PRSRT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID ENCINITAS, CA 92025 PERMIT NO. 94

The Coast News

INLAND EDITION

VOL. 28, N0. 30

.com

VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO

AUG. 1, 2014

Region feeling effects of drought By Aaron Burgin

REGION — The effects of continued drought conditions throughout the state are set to hit residents in North County in coming weeks — from homeowners to small children — as many water districts are set to make voluntary water-conservation measures mandatory. Olivenhain Water District was among the first local water authorities in the county to activate “Level 2” of its drought response plan, in the wake of the State Water Resources Control Board and the San Diego County Water Authority making similar declarations. Vallecitos and Vista Irrigation Districts are scheduled to vote on acTURN TO DROUGHT ON 16

Dilynn Whitaker plays in the splash pads at Sunset Park in San Marcos. Mandatory drought conditions will force the water off this week. Photo by Tony Cagala

FINDING HEMINGWAY Vista resident Tom Robertson, first row third from left, among other Ernest Hemingway hopefuls at Sloppy Joe’s Bar in Key West, Fla. Robertson, with more than 100 other contestants participated in the 34th annual Ernest Hemingway Look-Alike contest last week. Robertson said the weather in Key West was very hot and humid and sweated out the contest in a hunting sweater and carrying a stuffed toy six-toed cat. He said he’s definitely looking forward to trying it again. The winner, Wally Collins, splits his residences between Cardiff and Phoenix, Az. Photo courtesy Tom Robertson

New plans for the Merriam Mountain development project draw mixed reviews. Courtesy rendering

Merriam Mountain plans receiving mixed reviews By Aaron Burgin

SAN MARCOS — The developers behind the second iteration of a controversial North County development unveiled its plans to local residents this month — to mixed reviews. The San Diego-based Newland Corporation, the master-planned community developer behind 4-S Ranch, is proposing a 2,135-unit project on 1,983 acres in the Merriam Mountain area north of San Marcos. The County Board of Supervisors, by a 3-2 vote in March 2010, rejected the previous plan, proposed by Orange County-based Stonegate Development Group, for a 2,600-unit subdivision, citing traffic, fire and density concerns. Officials with Newland said they hope to avoid some of the missteps that led to the previous proposal’s demise. “I believe that

Newland’s approach to planning is distinctly different than the prior developer,” said Rita Brandin, Newland’s senior vice president and development director. The current proposal calls for 64 percent of the homes to be single-family units, with the rest being townhomes, and an 81,000 -square-foot neighborhood-shopping plaza that will include a grocery store that would serve both the new community and neighboring areas such as Hidden Meadows and Twin Oaks. A combined 200 people attended the developer’s outreach meetings on July 22 and July 23, at which time it provided the public of information about the proposed development and gave a preliminary timeline of its next steps. Newland anticipates TURN TO PLANS ON 16


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