Castlerock EIR Comment Period Ends August 1

The public has until August 1 to comment on a draft environmental impact report (EIR) for the proposed Castlerock housing development targeted for 204 acres north of Mast Boulevard between Medina Drive and West Hills Parkway.

The body of the EIR is divided into five parts comprised of 781 pages. There are an additional 10 appendix chapters. The full document is available online here at the city of San Diego’s website.

The EIR outlines two scenarios of potential impacts based on whether the property is annexed to the city of Santee or if it remains in the city of San Diego.

If developed as a San Diego neighborhood, the project would include 422 housing units. If the site is annexed to the city of Santee, the project could accommodate 430 housing units.

Under either scenario,  Castlerock's major amenities would include a 4-acre neighborhood park, multiple pocket parks , a north-to-south public trail and nearly 95 acres of undisturbed open space.

A notice published by the San Diego Development Services Department offers this summary of the EIR's findings:

• The proposed development  by Pardee Homes would result in a number of significant impacts, including temporary ones associated with construction activities, all of which can be mitigated by the developer.
• Additional significant impacts related to noise, library and fire services would also occur if the property is not annexed by the city of Santee , but those impacts can be mitigated.

• Significant impacts that cannot be mitigated or offset include changes to the natural landscape due to grading and development, visual quality, neighborhood character and creation of greenhouse gases.

According to the report’s executive summary , it would be more efficient to provide water and sewer services to the project from the Padre Dam Municipal Water District than to extend those utility lines from the city of San Diego.

Written comments should be sent to: Martha Blake, Environmental Planner, City of San Diego Development Services Center, 1222 First Avenue, MS 501 San Diego, CA 92101 or via email to DSDEAS@sandiego.gov