Anita Edmondson

The Poway Road Corridor Specific Plan, adopted in 2017, provides the vision framework for the Poway Road corridor (Oak Knoll Road to Garden Road). It was the outcome of 12 meetings by more than a dozen community stakeholders and leaders and several community workshops.

With several large residential and mixed-use projects already developed and more projects underway along the corridor, you can see the vision starting to come to life.

In Section 5 of the Specific Plan, there are a number of opportunities to ensure a cohesive and attractive identity with development outlined. At the February 17, 2026, council meeting, I suggested the city revisit the Poway Road Specific Plan holistically and look at the untapped design elements of the plan. These elements would provide the Poway character and charm residents want and help activate vibrant development on Poway Road, including:

• New gateway features, signage and wayfinding

• Public art and murals

• Modern street lighting and planters

• Updated holiday lights and banners

• Enhanced landscaping, sidewalks, and crosswalk treatments

As your council member, I will renew my proposal for the city host a public workshop to provide an update on Poway Road development and identify what the city can do to bring life to those elements of the plan that inspired support from the community back in 2018. And I will advocate for investment in these elements that help bring the Poway Road vision back into sharper focus.

Vanessa Springett

We need a Citizen-Based Planning Committee to provide strong oversight, establish clear design standards, and ensure a process that truly represents residents while protecting our “City in the Country.”

Poway’s natural beauty is one of its greatest assets, and as redevelopment continues along Poway Road, we must preserve our city’s character. I support larger setbacks and a strict 35-foot height limit for future projects. New development should reflect a cohesive identity inspired by civic buildings like the Poway Library and Sheriff’s Station, with landscaping and park-like buffers that maintain an open, inviting feel. Recent projects—featuring oversized buildings, empty retail space, and inadequate parking—highlight flaws in the current planning process.

I encourage residents to review the specific plan document which can be found here to get a better understanding of the vision for the corridor and the guidelines outlined in the plan.

1. Residents should also watch the archived April 21st city council meeting in which a staff report was presented on California’s Density Bonus Laws. It is important to understand these state laws that allow for increased density in exchange for limited affordable housing. These laws can supersede any local restrictions on height, density, parking, etc.

2. Predevelopment meetings with potential applicants are prime opportunities for council and the public to ask questions and provide initial feedback to developers. Predevelopment is also the time to reiterate the community’s expectations that plans adhere to the Poway Road Specific Plan.

3. To address concerns about traffic on Poway Road, the council approved the Operating Budget and Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the June 17 meeting which included funding for adaptive signaling. The CIP allocated $1,050,000 to install Adaptive Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) software, enhance detection, and reprogram controllers to collect traffic data and ensure progression along the City's regional arterial and collector streets. As your council member, I will continue to advocate for the timely installation of this system.


Should the plan be revisited and what changes would you support?

Last year 2025, council directed staff to revisit the Poway Road Specific Plan and make recommendations. Modifications such as increased setbacks and articulated designs for multi-story buildings are worth consideration. Until a staff report is presented and modifications can be adopted, any project proposal that comes before council should be held to the requirements of the specific plan, including height, setbacks, parking, and commercial space where applicable.

Armed with the knowledge about California Density Bonus Laws, the city should be wary of

unintended consequences of significant changes to the specific plan that could push developers to exercise their right to density bonuses. This would have the exact opposite effect of what was intended.


The Poway Road Specific Plan needs Key Amendments:

The vision behind the Poway Road Specific Plan—a vibrant, walkable corridor with thoughtfully integrated mixed-use development—is one I support. However, what has been approved and built so far falls short of that vision and risks undermining the character and livability of our community.

To better align implementation with intent, key amendments are needed. Front setbacks should be increased to at least 20–25 feet to preserve openness, allow for landscaping, and maintain Poway’s established character. The 35-foot height limit must be consistently enforced, without exceptions, to ensure fairness and prevent incremental overdevelopment. In addition, adequate parking for residents, guests, and commercial uses is essential to avoid congestion and spillover into surrounding neighborhoods.

These changes are not about stopping progress; they are about ensuring that growth is thoughtful, functional, and consistent with the original goals of the plan. Without them, we risk creating a corridor that feels overcrowded, congested, and out of scale with the community we want to protect.

The Farm in Poway appears to be a quiet, cohesive neighborhood enjoyed by residents and their families. Residents show pride of ownership with new landscaping, décor and holiday lights and decor to celebrate the seasons year-round. The residents I have met in The Farm enjoy living there and exploring all that Poway has to offer their family.


Many aspects of The Farm in Poway have been built according to the specific plan, including number of homes, perimeter trail, flower fields, community garden, and tot lot. Several other elements of The Farm in Poway Specific Plan are in the works, including the dog park and amphitheater.

When the Life Time Fitness plan came before council during my tenure in 2023-24, I voted not to move the plan forward. It was a major modification that far exceeded the specific plan, creating significant concerns about traffic and other impacts.

With the defeat of the plan by voters, any proposal for a recreational club in The Farm must:

• meet the requirements of the specific plan

• include a noise impact assessment

• provide effective mitigation for noise, lights, and traffic, and establish operating hours that are respectful of the neighborhood and surrounding residents.


I am the only candidate who resides outside the 500-foot conflict-of-interest zone from the rec club parcel. As a council member, I can fully represent residents on all discussions and decisions about a rec club, including noise, traffic, lights and operating hours. My opponent cannot.


Many residents I have met with would like to see the commercial space on Espola Road developed according to the Specific Plan, including social places to meet with friends and family for food and drinks. I share that desire. Unfortunately, the ongoing high costs of construction loans and building materials have hampered feasible development.

To ensure this parcel is developed in a way that fills the needs of the community and the vision of The Farm, as your council member, I will advocate for a resident advisory group so residents have direct input on future plans for the commercial parcel.

City leaders and developers must respect community-approved plans. I supported the Farm Specific Plan approved by voters in 2020 because it promised a balanced, community-focused vision—homes, walking paths, flower fields, local-serving amenities, and gathering spaces. So far, only housing, trails, and limited flower fields have been delivered. I will continue pushing for what was promised, including a restaurant, bar, and coffee/juice spot along Espola Road (not a strip mall), a community-oriented swim/tennis/fitness club, proper maintenance of the flower fields, and completion of the amphitheater and dog park. Lennar and the developer should be required to complete these improvements, in accordance with the plan voters approved, and return HOA control to residents.

I do not support large-scale commercial uses that bring outside traffic, and the potential for county-wide tournaments, into residential neighborhoods. A commercial pickleball facility is inappropriate here and belongs in business park areas.

Considering my primary residence’s proximity to the Fitness Parcel, I may need to recuse myself from zoning or land use Council votes concerning that specific Parcel. Outside of those proceedings, I will continue to advocate for full compliance with the guidelines established in The Farm Specific Plan.

Residents’ quality of life must be protected.

What actions should the City take to address these concerns?

• The City responds to code violations that are submitted by the public and has addressed violations in District 2, including three that have been red tagged. The most egregious one, located across from Valle Verde Park, will resolve a long-standing problem in a high-profile area.

• The city could evaluate current code compliance staffing to determine if it is sufficient to address violations.

• The city could consider increasing patrol by the Sheriff Department’s volunteer patrol to observe properties that pose a potential or immediate problem.


If existing municipal codes are insufficient, would you support updating or creating new policies?


• Before updating or creating new codes, it is important to gather data on violations: number of complaints submitted, types of violations, abatement time, costs associated with code enforcement, etc.

• There is community concern about a large grove of palm trees on Stone Canyon. Palm trees are not explicitly identified as a type of weed or dry grasses in the current code. Changes to the code should be taken into consideration. 

How would you balance community safety, neighborhood appearance, and property rights?


Private property rights cannot take precedence over public safety. Regular and consistent enforcement with an open line of communication with the violator is key to balancing community safety, neighborhood appearance and property rights.

Municipal code identifies violations, such as waste, weeds, abandoned cars, green pools, graffiti, etc. that negatively impact neighborhood appearance. The city provides opportunities for violators to abate the issue and gives additional time if the abatement is actively being handled by the property owner.

I support ongoing efforts to address abandoned and deteriorating properties that pose safety and fire risks. The city should continue strong nuisance abatement enforcement and partner with local organizations to assist residents in need. GVCA has encouraged these measures.

Fire safety must remain a priority.

Fire safety must remain a priority. The city should strengthen codes to ensure removal of dead vegetation and palm fronds. The city should also continue promoting disaster preparedness programs like Firewise USA and local disaster readiness resources such as www.PNEC.com. We are fortunate to have a top-notch fire department in Poway.