San Diego County, CA – In an agreement finalized this week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a settlement over the Otay Ranch Village 13 development that addresses long-standing environmental concerns, particularly wildfire and greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts, while simultaneously increasing the region’s housing supply.
The settlement resolves litigation filed by the California Department of Justice and six environmental groups—including the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, and California Chaparral Institute—against the County of San Diego for approving the original 2020 project without sufficiently addressing its environmental risks, as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
“This agreement demonstrates that we don’t have to choose between building housing and protecting the environment—we can do both,” said Attorney General Bonta in a press release. “Today’s settlement recognizes that environmental protection and housing go hand in hand, aiming to create more resilient, sustainable homes while reducing wildfire risk and protecting our environment.”
The new agreement allows for the same number of homes originally approved—1,938—and gives the developer the option to apply to build up to 2,750 units, all within a more compact footprint. By consolidating the development area, approximately 300 additional acres will be preserved as open space compared to the original plan .
No development or vegetation removal will be allowed outside the revised footprint or its designated fuel modification zone. This significant land conservation effort includes both new and previously designated open space lands that must be permanently protected under conservation easements and incorporated into the Otay Ranch Preserve .
Under the terms of the settlement, the developer will implement rigorous wildfire mitigation measures including a $30,000 contribution to expand wildfire surveillance in the area, in coordination with the San Diego County Fire Protection District.
They also agree to exterior sprinklers on all perimeter buildings and high-standard interior sprinkler systems in multi-family residences.
The agreement comes with a new wildfire education program for residents, along with provisions to restrict high-risk activities on red flag days.
Finally, there will be an expansion of Otay Lakes Road to improve evacuation routes in case of emergency .
The settlement also mandates robust climate-related upgrades, including: all-electric buildings—natural gas infrastructure is prohibited; net-zero energy design for all single-family and commercial structures; mandatory solar photovoltaic systems sized to meet projected energy demand; battery energy storage systems in residential and commercial buildings; and electric vehicle infrastructure exceeding California’s current green building standards .
To further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the developer will contribute at least $15 million to a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Fund, with the potential for additional payments depending on the number of units ultimately approved. These funds will support emissions-reduction projects exclusively in San Diego County.
The settlement includes $1.99 million in attorneys’ fees paid to the Department of Justice and environmental litigants, and halts further litigation provided the revised or expanded development remains in compliance with the agreement’s terms.
The project must now undergo revised environmental review, with parties requesting a stay in litigation while the County processes a compliant version of the project. Should the County fail to approve a revised plan within the agreed timeframe, the parties retain the right to resume legal action.
The Otay Ranch Village 13 site, located in the wildfire-prone Jamul Mountains of San Diego County, has long been a point of contention between development interests and environmental advocates.
There is no such thing as “wildfire-safe housing” in a high risk area.
I can almost hear them in the sales office now, stating “of course it won’t be any problem to get insurance”.
(And when it does burn, the cost of insurance is ultimately spread to everyone. That’s exactly what’s happening as a result of the LA fires. It also occurs in regard to utility costs – the lawsuits, and the burying of lines.)
This looks like an area that shouldn’t be developed at all – a natural area, outside of the developed city.
“Its site is at the northeast corner of Lower Otay Lake in unincorporated San Diego County, an area environmentalists said is an important habitat for the Quino checkerspot butterfly.”
“The settlement also allows accelerating the widening of Otay Lakes Road near Lake Crest Drive from two to four lanes to expedite evacuations from the project site. Furthermore, the developer will have to provide access to education on wildfire ignition prevention for project residents and pay at least $15 million toward greenhouse gas mitigation within the county.”
How is it that the settlement accelerates the widening of a road from “two to four lanes”, and yet they call this a “win” for greenhouse gasses?
https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2025/03/26/settlement-reached-in-lawsuit-that-challenged-housing-project-in-fire-prone-south-county/
“as required under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).”
You mean the same CEQA y’all want to dismember? Strange how CEQA sometimes a friend / sometimes a foe, depending on if your ox is being gored for this project or not.
“six environmental groups—including the Sierra Club, Center for Biological Diversity, and California Chaparral Institute”
These ‘environmental groups’ appear to be typical environmental groups posers who are developer shills, similar to the Greenbelt Alliance and Solano Land Trust taking over from the grassroots, “Friends of Lagoon Valley”, and succeeding in getting the project built for the developers while touting how green the project is
Beware gullible tools and fools!
” . . . the developer will implement rigorous wildfire mitigation measures including a $30,000 contribution to expand wildfire surveillance in the area”.
In the Palisades fire, a couple up-canyon reported the fire an hour before it grew out of control. The cavalry finally came, but it was already too late.
“They also agree to exterior sprinklers on all perimeter buildings and high-standard interior sprinkler systems in multi-family residences.”
And unlike the Palisade fire, hopefully someone will remember to keep the reservoir full during fire season
“The agreement comes with a new wildfire education program for residents, along with provisions to restrict high-risk activities on red flag days.”
Residents? How about an education program for arsonists? After all they are just victims of society and equity and social justice dictate that we not punish them, but work with them to find help for their behavior
As for provisions to restrict high-risk activities how about, “Don’t set other people’s sh*t on fire you arseholes”.
“there will be an expansion of Otay Lakes Road to improve evacuation routes in case of emergency .”
Because nothing says ‘save the environment’ like a wider road
Finally, there will be an expansion of Otay Lakes Road to improve evacuation routes in case of emergency .
“The settlement also mandates robust climate-related upgrades, including: all-electric buildings—natural gas infrastructure is prohibited; net-zero energy design for all single-family and commercial structures; mandatory solar photovoltaic systems sized to meet projected energy demand; battery energy storage systems in residential and commercial buildings; and electric vehicle infrastructure exceeding California’s current green building standards”.
All while providing affordable housing to the working class and the very poor! No?
“To further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the developer will contribute at least $15 million to a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Fund”
Forgot the “slush” in front of the “fund”.
“These funds will support emissions-reduction projects exclusively in San Diego County.”
Also supported: Project that claim to be emission reduction projects.
“The settlement includes $1.99 million in attorneys’ fees paid to the Department of Justice **** and environmental litigants *** ”
I went to the Sierra Club offices in San Francisco once. Most of the offices were lawyers. Follow the money.
“The Otay Ranch Village 13 site, located in the wildfire-prone Jamul Mountains of San Diego County, has long been a point of contention between development interests and environmental advocates.”
And yet, as with Lagoon Valley, the project got built. Maybe we as a society should come to the realization we don’t need every plot of land near civilization in California doesn’t need to look like Orange County. Some places, more places, need to remain as open space because that is what makes a land and a people vibrant, not another burb and the associated pavement.
And environmental groups that but-in to fights to protend to act as the land’s saviors, can **** my ****.