Poway Veterans housing project delayed

The breaking of ground on a proposed veterans housing project on Twin Peaks Road will not occur as soon as hoped by supporters.

City Manager Dan Singer says that while the director of the San Diego Habitat for Humanity last month predicted the start of construction by Veterans Day, Nov. 11, that won’t be happening for at least several months.

The best-case scenario, Singer said, might be sometime after the first of the year, but only if the planning review process goes smoothly.

Much needs to be completed, he said, including one or more public hearings.

As proposed by the non-profit group, between 28 and 30 two-, three- and four-bedroom homes will built on 2.15 acres on Twin Peaks Road, next to the Circle K store.

Singer said that Habitat cannot break ground until grading and building permits are obtained. Those permits will not be granted until the project is approved by the City Council following public hearings and until entitlement to the city-owned lot is granted.

The project cannot be brought to the council until a California Environmental Quality Act review is completed, and that can’t be done until the city has the results of a traffic study, which could not begin until schools went back into session, Singer said.

The land was purchased in 2004 by the city’s redevelopment agency and was transferred to the Poway Housing Authority after the state dissolved all local redevelopment agencies. Singer said the land cannot be conveyed to Habitat until the non-profit completes and approves a development agreement the provides certain protections and assurances to the city.