Oceanside CA—The Sierra Club has announced its endorsement of petition efforts to stop the housing tract development, North River Farms, from being built. The Oceanside City Council approved the 585 home development to be built in the last remaining agricultural holds. Volunteers need to gather approximately 12,000 signatures to place a referendum on the November 2020 ballot for Oceanside voters
“North River Farms would actually destroy farmland, and create pollution and much more traffic congestion, ” said Sierra Club spokesperson George Courser, “the Oceanside Planning Department and the Oceanside Planning Commission rejected it three times.” “This project is a perfect example of the type of housing development that creates the highest wildfire danger to the people living there and to their homes. It is located in an extremely high wildfire risk area without enough safe evacuation road capacity.”
“Oceanside’s Climate Action Plan calls for Smart Growth, well-planned development in the right places. It is development where the major infrastructure is in place, near existing roads, fire stations, schools and police services; near where we work, near public transit, near shopping and services. Oceanside must develop with Smart Growth not stupid sprawl.” according to Courser.
In November, the Oceanside City Council voted 3-2 in favor of approving Integral Communities North River Farms development, on 215 acres in Northeast Oceanside straddling North River Rd. The developer has promised local improvements to infrastructure including widening a bridge on College Blvd. and adding a small fire station.