Council delays vote on veterans housing

UPDATE: The workshop has been scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16 in the city council chambers.

The Poway City Council decided Tuesday night to postpone a vote on whether to approve a townhome development for veterans on Twin Peaks Road until a public workshop can be held within the next month.

The decision followed a 3 ½-hour hearing attended by roughly 100 neighbors who objected to the proposed development on the grounds that it would worsen already-bad traffic conditions on the road, would generate off-site parking problems and was not compatible with surrounding land uses. The hearing featured 34 speakers opposed and seven in favor.

San Diego Habitat for Humanity wants to develop 26 townhomes on two acres on the south side of the road, west of Espola Road. Plans call for a mix of duplex and triplex buildings containing four two-bedroom units, 18 three-bedroom units and four four-bedroom units. Each will have an attached garage and private rear yard, according to a staff report submitted for the meeting. There would be off-street parking for 25 vehicles and all city parking requirements will be met. A children’s play area is also planned. The non-profit says the units would be sold to income-qualified active duty and retired military buyers and that it would provide support services to those individuals.

Councilmembers Barry Leonard and Dave Grosch joined Mayor Steve Vaus in advocating for spending more time discussing the proposal before proceeding with a vote. Their concerns centered on the issues of parking, traffic and whether Habitat for Humanity can legally restrict townhome ownership to veterans and active duty personnel.

Councilmen Jim Cunningham and John Mullin said they were ready to approve it. Following council discussion, Cunningham was successful in getting his colleagues to agree to have city staff meet with Habitat representatives within the next two weeks and also schedule a public workshop within 30 days.

In other matters, the council:

• Adopted a resolution revising landscape the landscape watering schedule and restrictions. Residents and business can now water plants and lawns on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
• Agreed to spend $2.1 million to purchase a 5-acre vehicle storage lot at 13875 Kirkham Way that was owned by the former redevelopment agency. The lot holds 700 vehicles for Poway Road auto dealers. The city will receive back about $420,000 under post-redevelopment distribution rules.
• Approved the first reading of an ordinance that will limit the size of political and non-commercial signs posted in all areas of the city to 6 square feet and 4 feet in height.
• Recognized Derrick Jones as “Sheriff’s Station Deputy of the Month.”