Residents promote Palomar College EIR letter drive

Concerned over the impacts Palomar College’s campus will have on their neighborhood, some Westwood residents are asking Rancho Bernardans to send protest letters voicing various issues.

Dec. 7 is the deadline to submit letters regarding Palomar’s draft environmental impact report. The 628-page draft EIR can be viewed at tinyurl.com/Palomar-RB-EIR and at the Rancho Bernardo Library.

To help residents voice concerns over traffic and parking issues resulting from 1,000 to 3,000 students accessing the campus, a form letter is available from Westwood resident Terry Norwood. Request a copy by emailing her at terrynorwood68@gmail.com.

The letter mentions several issues, including traffic impact by the campus at 11111 Rancho Bernardo Road only having one access driveway, directly across from Matinal Road. Also mentioned is insufficient parking (only 792 spaces exist), lack of access to public transportation and safety concerns for pedestrians, especially school children whose bus stops are nearby.

Westwood resident Jim Pfeiffer said he is sending in the letter because he has seen traffic get worse during his 20 years living along Matinal Road, especially after 4S Ranch opened, with many drivers speeding. He said college students are likely to use Matinal as a shortcut to avoid traffic on West Bernardo Drive and Rancho Bernardo Road.