Twin Peaks Biological Core Area: 

The Lyon Estates Development is Nearly Twenty Acres of Habitat Land for a Gated Ten Home Housing Development on an Eighty Acre Parcel. This project is at the end of Larchmont Street on the lower slopes and west side of the mountain, just north of Twin Peaks Road and south of Pomerado Hospital. If you look to the east, you can spot the orange tape from Pomerado Road. This project was approved by the city council in 2018, even though it is in the biological core area with valuable endangered habitat and with great opposition by Poway residents. The land has valuable endangered Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral habitat which is home to the threatened California Gnatcatcher. In the approval process, there were 37 acres for a conservation easement and the rest left for preserved habitat in the Twin Peaks Biological Core Area. The Coastal Sage Scrub and Chaparral has already been cleared and graded. Larchmont neighbors say they do not hear coyotes anymore. 

During August 16's city council meeting, the city attorney said that the city council had to approve the tract map because there were no changes made to the original plan, and the time for changes had expired. During the meeting, we voiced many concerns including; having a current environmental impact report, risk for fire, additional traffic onto Pomerado Road, loss of endangered species, and the poorly laid-out lots, which will cause “edge affect,” (more habitat live along the development edges which causes a higher risk of mortality). Even though we knew the final tract map would most likely be approved, we felt it was important to voice our concerns.

Van Dam Peak Biological Core Area:

Meadowbrook Lane Proposal is a Sixteen Home Subdivision west of Pomerado Road between Poway Road and Twin Peaks Road and west of Meadowbrook Junior High. This 24 acre property is actually a ravine with seasonal wetlands and pond. It is home to many rare species, including the Spadefoot Toad, a species that is on California Fish and Wildlife's Watch List for endangered species. In December 2021, the landowner paid in-lieu fees. This means that if approved, possibly none of the 24-acres will be preserved. Instead “other” property will be bought for preservation. Meadowbrook is of the highest concern because of its seasonal wetlands, with many species depending upon it for survival, it's in a fire hazard severity zone, and will cause additional traffic congestion. Meadowbrook neighbors already complain about the school traffic!

Rimbach Road Proposed Six Home Development. This is ten acres off of Pomerado and Rimbach Road, near Montessori Growing Place. It is also on the lower slopes with Coastal Sage Scrub and is teaming with wildlife. The proposal was incomplete. It was missing the necessary biologist's report. 

At PWP, we are volunteers who feel strongly that unless we speak up, our open spaces and its wildlife will be gone. If you would like to join our preserve work, please let us know. Also, please let us know, of other endangered habitat being proposed for development. Thank you!

A special thanks to Sara Salazar, for her graphic design logo and Mike at Poway Sign Company for his large printed images. 

Together, let's Preserve Wild Poway!