Escondido Country Club Owner Makes Another Play At Redeveloping Golf Course
Escondido Country Club owner Michael Schlesinger is making another stab at redeveloping the club's golf course. He encountered resident opposition to the plan four years ago that resulted in a nasty battle involving a ballot measure and lawsuits. This time around he’s enlisted San Monica, CA-based New Urban West to work with residents to create a mutually agreeable, economically viable plan for the 110-acre site.
If the developer is able to create a plan that wins the neighborhood’s support, it will purchase the property from Schlesinger. The developer held a two-day open house last weekend, which attracted about 300 residents, to discuss the proposed redevelopment plan. The proposal is for a mix of open space, recreational amenities and new homes. One-third of the site would be dedicated to open space.
The plan includes a 50- to 100-foot-wide greenbelt to separate new construction from existing homes, a new clubhouse, a pool, a gym, a restaurant and other amenities. The number of new homes built depends on the willingness of existing residents to help pay for new amenities. Fewer homes will be built if current homeowners agree to become part of a tax assessment district, New Urban West spokesman Darren Pudgil told the San Diego Union-Tribune. He said New Urban West plans to present a detailed housing plan based on resident response in the next month, and depending on the outcome, will decide whether to move forward.
Schlesinger is also in negotiations with the City of Poway to redevelop part of the 18-hole StoneRidge Country Club, which he bought out of foreclosure in 2013. He has offered to give the city a nine-hole golf course and possibly other club amenities in exchange for allowing him to develop the other half of the property. He is polling city residents to measure their support before proceeding. Residents with expensive houses along the fairways are opposed to the plan. A city zoning law prohibits developing the property unless a majority of voters approve the plan. [SDUT]
