By Annie Bader
The South Vista Communities monthly meeting was held at Shadowridge Golf Course. They invited City Manager John Conley, who offered an overview of development activities in Vista. This update included details of Vista’s growth, including transportation, infrastructure, circulation, housing, parks, and recreation, all vital components of the city’s 2023 general plan.
VISTA’S “GENERAL PLAN”
A cities’ “general plan” serves as a blueprint for growth and development. The primary purpose of a general plan is outlining the direction a city will take to further its growth. Vista’s plan has not been updated since 2012. Currently, the city is actively engaging with Vista communities to solicit input on their ideas for plans. You too can contribute your insights—details on how to participate provided at the end of this article.
APPLICATIONS and DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITY: Diverse Housing Initiatives
Vista’s housing landscape is evolving, with a notable shift towards multi-family units, as available single-family residential opportunities become scarce. During the meeting, Conley highlighted four upcoming single-family residential developments:
Camino Largo: Located near the north end of Vista, this project is set to bring 46 single-family residential homes.
Vista Grande: Situated east of Warmlands, this development will offer 24 single-family homes.
Matagual and Melrose: Approved earlier this year, this project will bring 34 single-family homes to Vista.
Vista Hanalei: Currently under construction, this development will provide 45 single-family detached homes.
In addition to these single-family projects, here some developments in multi-family housing mentioned by Conley:
Park Ave Apartments: Located in downtown Vista, behind S. Santa Fe, this four-story project received approval for 176 apartments earlier this year.
Alliance Apartments: Under construction north of Santa Fe, past Bobier, this four-story project with 60 apartments is already in the framing stage, with 15% designated as affordable units. The term “affordable” is contingent on income criteria, typically a specified threshold based on the regional median income, ensuring accessibility for Vista citizens earning less than $85,000 annually.
North Santa Fe Senior Affordable: This project, situated near the Orange Ave Skatepark, will provide 54 apartments for seniors.
Santa Anita Townhouses: Featuring 51 detached units along E. Vista Way, this development is also in progress.
650 Sycamore: Proposed for the former Burlington Coat Factory site, this project envisions 255 units, although it is still in the planning stages and subject to zoning adjustments.
NEW VISTA PARKS and GENERAL DEVELOPMENT
John Conley touched upon plans for some new Vista parks:
Pala Vista Park: This project has been in the contracting phase for three years, initiated at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although it faced setbacks due to contractor issues, it is nearing completion and will encompass an acre and a half of space featuring a playground, grassy areas, and walking trails.
Townsite Drive: East Vista Way over the bridge near Monarch Apartments will include a substantial trail with exercise equipment. This development stretches from Wildwood Park to Brengle Terrace Park.
Matagual: Near the new location where Chick-fil-A was constructed, plans for a park are in progress, with contracts set to commence in early October and construction slated for early next year.
STREET IMPROVEMENTS AND OTHER PROJECTS
Several street improvement projects are currently underway, including Townsite Drive to Melrose and W Los Angeles Drive. These corridors are vital to serving low-income neighborhoods and previously, unimproved roads. Efforts have been made to enhance street infrastructure, including roundabouts, pedestrian crossings, and the addition of street trees. Construction in this area began approximately a year ago.
The city is addressing homelessness with the construction of a crisis stabilization center, aimed at providing support for homeless individuals and those dealing with mental health issues, offering an alternative to spending nights in jail.
PROTECTED BIKE LANES
Have you noticed the green paint on bike lanes too? Vista has implemented protected bike lanes–raised asphalt curves for enhanced safety are also underway. While concerns regarding lane width were made, the city’s goal to protect all forms of transportation continues.
LEGISLATION AND ACCESSORY DWELLING UNITS (ADUs)
City Manager Conley highlighted legislative changes, including the ability for homeowners to construct Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) on their properties without requiring HOA approval. Additionally, Senate Bill 9 allows single-family homeowners to build up to four more units on their properties, alongside ADUs.
HOW TO STAY NOTIFIED
Stay informed about Vista’s development process by signing up for general plan notices online. You can submit recommendations and receive updates as proposals evolve. The city’s website offers various opportunities to receive email notifications regarding planning and development, as well as newsletters from council members. To access these resources, visit the city’s website and navigate to the “e-notices” section, which includes information on planning and development updates.
https://www.cityofvista.com/
https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001QKuSz0c7kgbDHJUWbxLLMXi1XIVgzSve
