On April 15, The Council voted to accept the application and begin processing an ill-advised general plan amendment (GPA) for Escondido that would cause high-density housing to encroach into a zoned industrial area. (Support: J. Garcia, C. Garcia and Fitzgerald, Opposed: White, Martinez) The co-location of sensitive receptors (people) and industrial uses (which can have harmful air emissions) is well-known as poor planning practice to be avoided. The State Air Board has issued guidance on how to protect community health by recommending buffers between these uses. For example, the recommended buffer between chrome plating and housing is 1,000 feet! In addition, there are other manufacturing uses nearby which will likely be impacted because of this poor planning decision.
Pursuit of environmental justice tells us that people and industry must be separated to preserve the health of residents. As a society we have learned this over and over. Here we have a worsening environmental injustice in the making. It is hard to believe the city is spending time, energy, and resources on this now. A community letter has been filed with more opposition to follow. This is untenable. Bad for people, bad for business. If you are interested in joining our Housing Team, please let us know. escoindivisible@gmail.com. Please email the City Council to record your opposition to this and urge reconsideration of yet another bad decision on the part of the Escondido City Council. Map indicating proximity of industrial uses and proposed high-density housing location.