A 40-acre plot of land along the east side of Bear Valley Parkway in Escondido, vacant for the past 30 years since being retired as a citrus and avocado grove, will become a 55-unit housing development.

The Escondido City Council unanimously Wednesday approved the project which also calls for the developer to build a northbound lane of traffic — something badly needed along that section of the road.

All but roughly 1.5 miles of the busy six-mile-long road is four lanes but narrows to two lanes south of San Pasqual Valley Road (state Route 78). The result is a backup of traffic every workday morning and night as commuters funnel into and out of the area on their way from eastern Escondido to Interstate 15 and Valley Center.

In the planning stages for four years, the project will be built across from Encino Drive and between Sunset/Ranchito Drive and Choya Canyon Road on property that is in Escondido but is mostly surrounded by unincorporated county land, much of which is already developed. The homes will be clustered on about half the land with the rest of the property being kept as open space.


The property has been in the Wohlford family for many generations, family spokeswoman Elizabeth Wohlford told the council, and was an active farm for many decades dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. About 30 years ago the fruit trees were cut down and ever since commuters have been looking at the empty property as they drive by.

“I think it’s a great project,” said Councilman Mike Morasco. “I drive by it every single day. I can’t wait for it to get started. I think it’s going to benefit everyone in the area in particular once we get the county on board to get the completion of that bottleneck actually on their radar.”

Because most of the two-lane portion of Bear Valley Parkway lies within the county’s jurisdiction, the city and the county will need to work together to eventually widen the road to four lanes.

Speaking of the bottleneck, Morasco called it “horrendous on a daily basis.”


Councilman Ed Gallo said the property has a great history “and I think (the project) will be a great addition for the city and will help out our housing stock.”

No public opposition to the development was expressed at the meeting.

When houses might be built, and who the developer might be, was not addressed.

Mayor Sam Abed said the project will compliment another housing development called Rancho Palomar, which is being built less than a mile to the north on county land at the northwest corner of the intersection of Bear Valley and San Pasqual Valley Road.


Indeed, eastern Escondido, like much of the city, is seeing a housing boom. Next year the council will decide whether Safari Highlands Ranch, a 550-luxury home project which would be built in the mountains north of the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, should be allowed.

Many homeowners in the development would undoubtedly use Bear Valley Parkway for their commutes as well.

“I’m very pleased to have Bear Valley Parkway widened, at least part of it,” Abed said.


jharry.jones@sduniontribune.com; 760/529-4931; Twitter: @jharryjones