Escondido Neighbors United
September 2014 Update
Hi Everyone,
We
hope you are able to stay cool in the heat.
Everyone is back to school, and a lot is going on this month. We
wanted to update you on several of our projects.
hope you are able to stay cool in the heat.
Everyone is back to school, and a lot is going on this month. We
wanted to update you on several of our projects.
OAK CREEK HOUSING
DEVELOPMENT
DEVELOPMENT
This
month, we have been busy reviewing the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)
for the Oak Creek project. The public
comment period will close Sept 29, so please look at the document and comment
to the city. There are several serious
problems with it. Due to the close
proximity of the site to the Park, we think an expansion of Felicita Park (supported
by goals in our local County Subarea plan) should be included in any adopted
plan. Further, we don’t think that
homes should be put in areas where there are potential health risks to future
residents, all data on contamination
should be available, and any clean up implemented before projects are reviewed
or approved.
month, we have been busy reviewing the Draft Environmental Impact Report (DEIR)
for the Oak Creek project. The public
comment period will close Sept 29, so please look at the document and comment
to the city. There are several serious
problems with it. Due to the close
proximity of the site to the Park, we think an expansion of Felicita Park (supported
by goals in our local County Subarea plan) should be included in any adopted
plan. Further, we don’t think that
homes should be put in areas where there are potential health risks to future
residents, all data on contamination
should be available, and any clean up implemented before projects are reviewed
or approved.
Please see our Action
Alert here http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/action-alert-please-attend-public.html
Alert here http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/action-alert-please-attend-public.html
We
are proposing an alternative that includes an expanded park, healthful housing
locations, reduced traffic impacts, and housing.
are proposing an alternative that includes an expanded park, healthful housing
locations, reduced traffic impacts, and housing.
CHATHAM BARREL YARD
We
did a couple tours of the area with local residents and our County Supervisor
Dave Roberts. We discussed areas of
impact and several issues facing our area.
We have produced, courtesy of our wonderful member, some graphics
showing the movement of the plumes. We
have also responded to multiple media requests for information about the site
so, Stay Tuned! There is a public
meeting on this topic set for September 30, 2014. See info below.
did a couple tours of the area with local residents and our County Supervisor
Dave Roberts. We discussed areas of
impact and several issues facing our area.
We have produced, courtesy of our wonderful member, some graphics
showing the movement of the plumes. We
have also responded to multiple media requests for information about the site
so, Stay Tuned! There is a public
meeting on this topic set for September 30, 2014. See info below.
We
have collected over 200 signatures on our petition demanding More Action on Chatham!
have collected over 200 signatures on our petition demanding More Action on Chatham!
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
We
received a response from City Manager Clay Phillips to our recommendation on public
participation. The City also agreed to
hold a public meeting on Oak Creek and requested a public meeting from DTSC on
Chatham. These are all positive steps
and we appreciate them. We still wish
the city’s website was user friendly and that automatic notification would
occur and we will seek a meeting with city official to discuss.
received a response from City Manager Clay Phillips to our recommendation on public
participation. The City also agreed to
hold a public meeting on Oak Creek and requested a public meeting from DTSC on
Chatham. These are all positive steps
and we appreciate them. We still wish
the city’s website was user friendly and that automatic notification would
occur and we will seek a meeting with city official to discuss.
FELICITA CREEK
ENU
continues to try to secure a ‘Priority designation’ for Felicita Creek in the
San Dieguito Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP). There will be another consultation committee
meeting at the end of October on this issue.
We have requested a meeting with City Stormwater staff . We will share more information on this as we
receive it.
continues to try to secure a ‘Priority designation’ for Felicita Creek in the
San Dieguito Water Quality Improvement Plan (WQIP). There will be another consultation committee
meeting at the end of October on this issue.
We have requested a meeting with City Stormwater staff . We will share more information on this as we
receive it.
IMPORTANT DATES
There
are several opportunities for community and civic engagement this month.
are several opportunities for community and civic engagement this month.
1. Oak Creek Analysis Needs Improvement
September 22, 6 PM: Escondido Public Meeting on Oak Creek Housing Development Draft EIR
in Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway.
in Council Chambers, 201 North Broadway.
This
is a good opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions, and provide
input. ENU
does not support the project as currently proposed. We are hoping that improvements will be made
so that the project impacts on the neighbors, future residents, and the
environment will be reduced. Please see
our Action Alert here http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/action-alert-please-attend-public.html
is a good opportunity to learn about the project, ask questions, and provide
input. ENU
does not support the project as currently proposed. We are hoping that improvements will be made
so that the project impacts on the neighbors, future residents, and the
environment will be reduced. Please see
our Action Alert here http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/action-alert-please-attend-public.html
2. Talk to the Candidates:
September 25, 6 PM: Escondido Candidate Forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters in Council
Chambers, 201 North Broadway.
Chambers, 201 North Broadway.
A
great opportunity to learn about the candidates for Mayor and City council in
this critical election year. http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/escondido-candidates-forum.html
great opportunity to learn about the candidates for Mayor and City council in
this critical election year. http://escondidoneighborsunited.blogspot.com/2014/09/escondido-candidates-forum.html
3. The Future of our Neighborhood Needs Your Input!
Monday, September 29, 5PM: Comments due on the DEIR for Oak Creek.
You
can file electronic email or written letter with:
can file electronic email or written letter with:
Mr. Bill Martin, City of Escondido, Planning
Division, 201 North Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025-2798, Fax 760-839-4313 bmartin@escondido.org
Division, 201 North Broadway, Escondido, CA 92025-2798, Fax 760-839-4313 bmartin@escondido.org
Review the DEIR http://www.escondido.org/Data/Sites/1/media/pdfs/Planning/oakcreek/CD/INDEX_-_Report_Navigatoin.pdf
Here is the Executive Summary https://www.escondido.org/Data/Sites/1/media/pdfs/Planning/oakcreek/CD/VolI-Chapter1-ExecutiveSummary.pdf and comment to the city on your
position.
position.
4. We Need More Action on Chatham!
Tuesday, Sept 30, 2014, 6:30-9:00
pm: CHATHAM
BARREL YARD PUBLIC MEETING California Center for the Arts Escondido,
340 N. Escondido Blvd
pm: CHATHAM
BARREL YARD PUBLIC MEETING California Center for the Arts Escondido,
340 N. Escondido Blvd
Department
of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and Regional Water Board will hold an
informational meeting on the status of the remediation of the Chatham Barrel
Yard. During the past several decades, the plumes of contamination have
migrated in groundwater over a mile from the site and have contaminated local
domestic water wells and groundwater.
The plumes are also discharging pollution into Felicita Creek in
violation of water quality plans.
of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) and Regional Water Board will hold an
informational meeting on the status of the remediation of the Chatham Barrel
Yard. During the past several decades, the plumes of contamination have
migrated in groundwater over a mile from the site and have contaminated local
domestic water wells and groundwater.
The plumes are also discharging pollution into Felicita Creek in
violation of water quality plans.
Please
join ENU in making the following requests:
join ENU in making the following requests:
· DTSC
require additional actions to actively
remediate pollution in groundwater and stop discharges to Felicita Creek.
require additional actions to actively
remediate pollution in groundwater and stop discharges to Felicita Creek.
· County
designate Felicita Creek as a Priority for Action in its Water Quality Improvement Plan.
designate Felicita Creek as a Priority for Action in its Water Quality Improvement Plan.
· Post of
signs in Felicita Park about the presence of pollution in the creek so that
users can make informed decisions.
signs in Felicita Park about the presence of pollution in the creek so that
users can make informed decisions.
· Update
Health Risk Assessment to reflect new standards and conditions.
Health Risk Assessment to reflect new standards and conditions.
· Create a Community
Technical Review Committee that meets regularly to improve communication and
understanding about contamination from the site.
Technical Review Committee that meets regularly to improve communication and
understanding about contamination from the site.
Please
find more information here: http://www.escondidoneighbors.org/projects/chatham-barrel-yard
find more information here: http://www.escondidoneighbors.org/projects/chatham-barrel-yard
If you want to share this update with others, you can find a printable copy here: ENU September Update