Looking back on 2022 and what to expect expect this year

Hello GVCA members and friends,

In retrospect, it feels like 2022 was simply a continuation of the strange new world that began with the Covid 19 pandemic almost three years ago. Locally,
if sky-high prices and recession fears were not enough, we were caught in an endless loop of jackhammers, bulldozers and saws, as development on and around the Espola Road corridor shook the north Poway communities relentlessly. Globally, a continuing raft of viruses and war in Europe have made it seem that the world will never return to “normal” again.

At GVCA, we are all Poway residents like you, and we get it. There’s plenty to grumble about. But there has also been great progress made over the past year, and if we can just remain patient, we have a lot to look forward to in 2023 and beyond.

The Farm in Poway

The conversion of the former StoneRidge Country Club property kicked into high gear in 2022. Lennar, the developer, has encountered more rock than originally anticipated, requiring modifications to the grading schedule and, unfortunately, a great deal of noise. Additional rock breaking on the site of the future fitness center location began in December. In response to resident feedback, the developer has taken steps to mitigate the noise and disruption to neighboring communities as they work to complete the project.

The developer’s latest timeline shows grading, street improvements, home construction and commercial construction expected to be completed at various dates from January 2023 through March 2024. For anticipated completion dates for the various elements of the project, visit https:// www.lennarsdbuilds.com/the-farm-in-poway. You can also register to receive construction updates at https://www.lennarsdbuilds.com.

Additionally, LifeTime Health is proposing to build and operate a 30,000 sq ft fitness center on the property. The operator will be seeking City Council approval of a conditional use permit and specific plan amendment for their proposal this spring. For more information on the operator, visit: https://www.lifetime.life. The GVCA is meeting with city staff to ensure compliance with thevoter-approved specific plan.

Sharp Hospice Care

In 2021, Sharp Healthcare acquired the property at the southwest corner of Espola and Valle Verde, and in 2022 demolition began for construction of a six-bedroom hospice care home. The State of California has responsibility for licensing of the hospice facility, and the City of Poway is responsible for approving the physical structure in accordance with local zoning standards. Administrative approval of the proposed building was appealed and following a hearing last May, City Council granted approval to proceed with construction.

According to Sharp Healthcare, the home has been designed to resemble a personal residence, and we haveheard from city officials that the design and landscaping are held to the same building standards as all single-family residence in the area. After looking into the issue, GVCA is optimistic that the finished home will be an attractive and unobtrusive addition to the community, however, we will continue to monitor its progress. For more details about the planned hospice home, visit Sharp’s website at https://www.sharp.com/give/ways-to-give/mountainview-home.

Poway Center for Performing Arts (PCPA)

During 2022, the PCPA returned to a pre-pandemic level of activities and events, including a scaled-back professional performance series presented by PowayOnstage and several concerts conducted by the Poway Symphony Orchestra, and a variety of local and school events. The GVCA believes that the PCPA
is a rare treasure in our community, serving to bring high quality arts and entertainment to our region as well as providing a unique educational venue for the PUSD and community groups. We will continue to stay in touch with the city and other stakeholders to monitor developments regarding this important city asset.

Water Project Update

In 2021, the city began construction on a series of projects to increase the reliability of Poway’s drinking water. The initial bypass project was completed in September 2022 and is now in use. This system uses temporary storage tanks to take the city’s outdated treated water storage system offline for replacement. The next phase, or clearwell replacement project, will supplant the old system with two new 4-million-gallon concrete tanks, and is expected to start in the summer of 2023.

At GVCA, we are pleased to see this important infrastructure project moving forward and nearing completion. Water storage tanks and pumping stations are not particularly exciting, but they are a vital foundation for our future as a city in drought-plagued southern California.

Looking Ahead

Change can be uncomfortable and worrisome, and lately we have seen our share of change in the north region of Poway. On the other hand, some change is inevitable, and the ways in which we handle it and manage it will determine the long-term effect that it has on our community.

At GVCA, we continue to believe that Poway remains one of the best places in the county to live, work and play. I hope that you will remain optimistic as we are about the future of our special community. And I hope that through your continued support as a GVCA member, you will take advantage of the opportunities to stay informed, to speak out, and to lend a hand to ensure that the changes impacting us in 2023 are well- managed.

Wishing you a happy and prosperous 2023!

John DeSantis
GVCA President