Written by Michael Palomba
Measure B has officially received support from San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer in addition to the Republican Party of San Diego County.
Measure B is a ballot measure that provides San Diego County residents with a better choice for the development of private property in North County that is going to be developed one way or another. Currently, the County General Plan allows up to two million square feet of commercial space and 99 luxury homes. Instead, Measure B provides for 2,135 homes, 60 percent of which are required to be affordably-priced for local working families under a legally-binding covenant.
The proposed development site is along I-15, northwest of Escondido. Some perks of measure B include:
- Creating 2,135 carbon-neutral homes for working families
- Prioritizing about 500 homes through a legally-binding covenant for first responders, veterans, EMTs, military personnel and teachers
- Provide 60 percent of the homes in the community at prices affordable for working families
- Generate an overall economic impact of $203.6 million
- Provide 1,446 permanent jobs and 628 construction jobs
- Create 1,331 critically needed affordably-priced homes for working families
- Preserve 1,209 acres of permanent open space plus parks and trails
- Provide $4.4 million in fire prevention funding, $56 million for road improvements, and $19 million for local schools
Measure B has also been endorsed by a multitude of organizations including Cal Fire Firefighters 2281, San Diego Police Officers Association, the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, Local Laborers 89, and the Chicano Federation.
Mayor Faulconer’s support only further adds to the list of big names that endorse Measure B. He said at a Thursday news conference that the measure would address “a severe housing shortage in San Diego County, one that has pushed the American Dream of homeownership out of reach for a growing number of San Diegans.”
