SAN MARCOS — A new housing development unanimously approved by the San Marcos City Council this week will bring 224 units to a long-vacant lot just down the road from Bradley Park while also providing protection for sensitive species onsite.
The 33-acre lot, bordered by Linda Vista Drive, Pacific Street, Las Posas Road and La Mirada Drive, has historically been difficult to develop due to the presence of sensitive biological resources. The parcel has the city’s largest remaining concentration of vernal pools — seasonal pools of water that provide habitats for plants and animals — and the largest non-conserved native grassland area.
The city received no project applications for the industrially-zoned lot for years until applicant Las Posas Owner LPV, LLC, began to plan a residential development for the site in 2021.
“Everyone who’s taken a look at this site has basically seen the biological constraints, and they run away,” said Greg Waite of Lancaster Consulting Services, a representative for the project. “The biological preservation is really important out here and something we take really seriously.”
Las Posas Owner had originally sought approval for a much larger development with 449 units. However, state agencies reviewing the project required it to be scaled down and restricted to the southern portion of the lot to limit impacts on specific plant and animal species.
Under the 224-unit plan, just under 30% of the site will be developed, and the rest will be preserved as open space under an endowment funded by the applicant.
Sensitive species on the site include the endangered San Diego fairy shrimp, found in several vernal pools, and plants like thread-leaved brodiaea, Orcutt’s brodiaea, small-flowered morning-glory, San Diego button-celery, chaparral rein orchid, and graceful tarplant.
Currently, many of these areas are in a deteriorated state due to years of trash dumping and repeated trespassing by people and vehicles.
The project will include two for-sale developments, one consisting of row houses and another of villas, among multiple three-story buildings reaching 40 feet tall. Unit sizes will range from two to four bedrooms.
The City Council’s 4-0 vote on Tuesday, with City Councilmember Maria Nuñez absent, allows the site’s zoning to be changed from industrial to a specific plan, which will allow for residential development. The city’s Planning Commission also approved it in a 7-0 vote in June.
No affordable housing is proposed as part of the project, requiring the applicant to pay an in-lieu fee of around $2 million to go toward other affordable projects in the city. They will also pay around $2 million in developer fees to the San Marcos Unified School District.
The project will also bring several road and traffic improvements to the immediate area, including a traffic signal at the intersection of Linda Vista Drive and Las Posas Road to alleviate existing traffic issues.
It will also add an off-street urban trail for pedestrians and bicycles along Linda Vista Drive and La Mirada Drive from Pacific Street to Las Posas Road and Class II buffered bike lanes on Linda Vista Drive and on Pacific Street.
“One of the aspects that this piece of property, this footprint, is missing today is the walkability and the bikeability along the entire perimeter, and you’re providing that. I think it’s gonna be a huge benefit to the folks that ride their bikes and walk in this area,” said Councilmember Mike Sannella.
The site will be accessible via driveways on Linda Vista Drive and Pacific Street, with no access via Las Posas Road or La Mirada Drive.
Before the City Council’s approval, this piece of land made news after a human body was discovered there earlier this month.
