By TR Robertson
City of Vista Community Development Director Joe Vacca and staff members gave a detailed Vista Development Update at the February Vista Chamber of Commerce Committee meeting detailing the proposed and currently underway projects in the Vista city limits. Joe began by saying information about all of the developments in the city are available at www.vista.gov/departments/community-development and click on Development Projects Interactive map. Each of the projects can be clicked on for more information.
*Melrose Retail Project featuring Wendy’s and Dutch Brothers Coffee
*Dutch Brothers Coffee project at 1025 E. Bobier
*Dutch Brothers Coffee project at 1940 Hacienda across from Sketchers
*Costco Fuel Project at 1755 Hacienda Dr.
*Shop Expansion at 1461 N Santa Fe Ave.
*Hampton Inn Courtyard hotel at 760 Shadowridge Dr.
*The Learning Experience (day care) at 3150 Business Park Dr.
*Birch Cades at 2515 Birch St. in Vista Business Park
*Boys and Girls Club Expansion at 410 W California Ave.
*Hilton Garden Inn (128 beds) at 1675 S. Melrose Dr.
*Santa Fe Senior Village (54 units) at 414 N Santa Fe Ave.
*Vista 2 Hacienda (63 units) at 1150 Hacienda
*Bobier Drive (15 lots – 1,500-2,500 sq. ft. homes)
*Santa Fe Terraces (40 units with commercial on ground floor) – 546 S Santa Fe. Ave.
*The True Life Companies (28 units – single family homes) 938 Taylor
*Palomar Annexation & Subdivision (3-4,000 sq. ft. homes) 2387 Foothill
*Taylor (51-unit town homes) 1858 E Vista Way
*Kensho Housing (183 units) 212 Guajome St.
*Park Ave Apartments (176 units with a 4-story parking garage
*TTLC Melrose Matagual Dr. Project (34 single family residential)
*Sunset Drive Townhomes at 2112 Sunset Dr. (38 units)
*Olive Avenue (15 units) 1435 Olive Ave.
*Vista Grande (28 units with ½ acre lots) 2277 Vista Grande
*Vista Hanalei at 157 Hanalei (75 units)
*Alliance on N Santa FE (60 units)
*Civic Center Villas (10 units)
*Beazer Solitaire Homes 1086 Sycamore – Green Oak Villas (107 units)
*Camino Largo Subdivision at 2123 N Santa Fe (46 units)
The Burlington site has been acquired by the Charles Company and is being looked at as a possible residential and commercial mixed-use site. Still no movement on the former Geib Lumber site.
Michael Ressler reported on the General Plan Update currently underway. The General Plan contains seven elements that effect the City of Vista – Land Use, Circulation, Housing, Open Space, Conservation, Safety and Noise. The General Plan builds off of the policy framework of the 2030 Plan. The updating of the document also includes meeting all state legislation requirements. Workshops have been held with another to be held later this year. The document also looks at the major changes along the 78 corridor and the Downtown Historic area. This hope is to present the document to the City Council in the winter of 2025.
The North County Daily Star owner and editor Terry Woods presented a video featuring a presentation by Vista Fire Chief Gerard Washington to the Vista City Council the preparedness of the fire department to handle wildfires in our area and the ongoing training the fire department continues along with inspection of all fire hydrants in the city. This also includes a continuous evaluation of the Red Flag Protocol in dealing with possible fires in the area.
Governmental Updates
Salome Tash from Congressman Mike Levin’s Office – Congress is back in session. The Congressman is working on a variety of legislations. He is now a member of the House Appropriations Committee and on the Energy and Water Development Subcommittee. The Congressman is working on a variety of veterans care projects.
Fernando Hernandez from Senator Catherine Blakespear’s Office – The Senator was appointed to the Senate Transportation and Budget Review committees. The Senator is working on three bills – SB 92 dealing with density bonus issues, SB 99 dealing with childcare on military organizations and SB 242 dealing with access to affordable health care. The Senator voted with others to approve a funding package to help those affected by the LA fires and she voted to approve a measure to help Cal Fire. February 21st is the final day to introduce new bills in the Senate. Her office is also accepting nominations for Women’s History Month.
Ryan Ewart from Assembly Member Laurie Davies Office – The Assembly Member is the Vice Chair of the Veterans Affairs Committee. The Assembly Member is working on AB 2308 protecting domestic violence victims and AB 229 dealing with primary care facilities administering STD testing and AB 296 dealing with requiring high schools to offer Apprenticeship Fairs once a year.
Kristal Jabar from County of San Diego Supervisor Jim Desmond’s Office – There will be a District 1 special election for a supervisor for that district. The Supervisor voted in support of the purchase of a twin-engine helicopter capable of night flying support for firefighting situations and in the purchase of an additional water tanker aircraft for assistance in fighting fires in rural areas of the county. The Supervisor is also staying on top of following federal and state funding of money for assistance in dealing with the Tijuana River Valley pollution issues.
Josh Sino Cruz from the City of Vista Office’s – The next City Council meeting will hear a financial report presentation, a Sheriff’s presentation and a discussion on the current situation with the Wave Water Park. The meeting on the 25th will have a public hearing on marketing efforts for the Downtown Vista area, a presentation of the new City Logo, lighting in residential areas and a discussion on lowering the speed limits within the city. Eight more pickle courts have been added to Brengle Terrace Park.
From the Vista Chamber of Commerce, a reminder of the Chamber Heroes of Vista Celebration will be held on March 14th.
The Tri-City Athletic Club is sponsoring a Tri-City Invitational Middle School Basketball Tournament on March 15th at the Carlsbad Boys & Girls Club, 2730 Bressi Ranch Way. For more information or sponsorship call Allen Newsome at 442-222-0214.
The next Government Affairs meeting will be March 6th at noon at the Film Hub.
