The Coast News
VISTA, SAN MARCOS, ESCONDIDO
VOL. 11, N0. 12
June 7, 2024
City shows interest in Green Oak
Vista tightens STR rules By Laura Place
VISTA — New regulations adopted by the Vista City Council last week seek to control the rampant issue of unregistered and untaxed shortterm rentals. There are currently 36 registered shortterm rentals in Vista that brought in around $100,000 in transient occupancy tax, or TOT, revenue last year. However, the city’s code enforcement department knows of at least 100 more that are operating illegally and skipping out on taxes. The new ordinance, adopted unanimously by the council on May 28, requires all operators of short-term rentals, also known as STRs or vacation rentals, to obtain a business license, TOT registration and a new shortterm rental permit. The ordinance also requires a two-night minimum stay for non-hosted rentals and sets quiet hours of 9 p.m. to 9 a.m., among other restrictions. Vista officials said the regulations are needed to prevent disruptions in residential neighborhoods where STRs are located, including excess noise, parties and illegal parking. City staff said they know a handful of vacation rentals repeatedly used as party locations, causing a nuisance for neighbors. “We really want to safeguard the peace, safety and general welfare of our neighborhoods,” said Community Development Director Joseph Vacca. Under the ordinance, individual owners are limited to operating a maximum of five local short-term rentals, although there is no cap on the number or percentage of STRs allowed in the city overall. STRs cannot be operated out of accessory dwelling units. The ordinance also
Vista site’s neighbors oppose county’s plan By Laura Place
HOT DOG!
Workers put on the finishing touches as the San Diego County Fair prepares to open its gates Wednesday. STORY ON 5. Photo by Laura Place
Easement for battery project denied Palomar Health cites potential hospital impacts By Samantha Nelson
ESCONDIDO — The Palomar Health administration recently denied a property easement that would have allowed a proposed battery storage facility to connect to an Escondido substation via hospital grounds. Palomar Medical Center in Escondido is approximately 1,600 feet from 925 Country Club Drive, a 22-acre former horse ranch in the Eden Valley community where the proposed Seguro
TURN TO STR ON 15
A SIGN opposes a proposed battery storage facility in the Eden Valley community outside Escondido and San Marcos. File photo/Samantha Nelson
Energy Storage project would be located if approved by the county. The 320-megawatt facility would store enough energy from renewable sources like so-
lar and wind to power 240,000 homes for four hours. According to AES Corporation, the energy company proposing to build and operate Seguro,
the facility would connect to the local power grid through a new on-site substation, connecting to the nearby 30,000-kilowatt SDG&E Escondido Substation through an underground transmission line. Residents of the Eden Valley, Harmony Grove and Elfin Forest communities are widely opposed to the project due to its proximity to hundreds of residential homes. Some fear that the lithium-ion batteries could start a fire and cause disruptive noise, air pollution and other environmental problems. Jeff Griffith, chairTURN TO EASEMENT ON 15
‘Hoist’ tribute
Pride Month
San Marcos pub continues its Memorial Day tradition of raising a glass to honor fallen service members. 9
Officials and residents gathered this week at the Vista Civic Center for the raising of the pride flag. 10
VISTA — Neighbors of the Green Oak Ranch property in Vista are advocating for the city to purchase and preserve the land, which is also being pursued by the County of San Diego and homelessness nonprofit Solutions for Change. At a packed City Council meeting on May 28, City Attorney Walter Chung announced that the council had agreed in closed session to move forward with an appraisal of the property. The announcement was met with cheers from those in attendance as the city’s first publicly acknowledged interest in purchasing the land. Nearly a dozen residents, many from the Shadowridge neighborhood adjacent to the ranch, addressed the council to oppose the county’s plan for the Green Oak Ranch site. The plan involves a $280 million sober living and behavioral health facility intended to fill a critical mental health service gap in the region. Several residents shared concerns about the lack of communication from the county about the planned facility, and others claimed that the individuals receiving treatment would pose safety risks for children and families. “While the intention behind this project is noble, it brings with it considerable concerns for our local community, concerns that we as residents have the right to voice and address within our City Council,” said Denisse Barragan, a resident and City Council District 3 candidate. “We cannot allow the county to decide on a project of this magnitude without our input and consent.” The 110-acre portion of the property that is up for sale currently houses a summer camp and retreat center, an RV park, and a residential men’s recovery program operated by Green Oak Ranch Ministries. Karen Allison said she and her family of five are among 30 low-income families living in the TURN TO GREEN OAK ON 5
FYRE 49 YOUR ONE STOP SHOP CANNABLISS FLOWER
FUEGO CANNABIS 14G FOR ONLY $76.00
DEAL
DEAL
C10-0000323-LIC C10-0000634-LIC
$
3.5G
3.5G JAR ONLY
PRICES SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
RESTRICTIONS APPLY. DEALS DO NOT STACK. WHILE SUPPLIES LAST. CANNABIS21PLUS.COM
14G
195
$
28G
370
$
SCAN THIS CODE SHOP ONLINE NOW!